Dec 23, 2008 9:57 pm US/Eastern
Cops Hunt Woman In Psychic Scam
HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) ―
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Gina Marie Marks
Broward Sheriff's Office
The attorney for a Broward fortune teller accused of ripping off several clients says she plans to turn herself in after the holidays.
The attorney for Gina Marie Marks says Marks is not on the run. He says he doesn't want Marks sitting in jail over Christmas since she has children.
Marks is accused of stealing $65 thousand from five South Florida women, after claiming to cure curses and lift evil spirits. Her victims say Marks promised to return their money but never did. Her lawyer, Jim Lewis, says Marks will fight the charges and has already paid money back to one of the women.
On Monday, the Broward Sheriff's Office announced they were looking for 35-year-old Marks. She is accused of stealing nearly $65 thousand dollars from five South Florida women.
"I never thought that somebody could get to my brain the way that she did. She is a professional liar," said one of her victims, who preferred to remain anonymous.
The victim told CBS4 Marks said there were curses or evil spirits around her that could affect her children, her parents or her grandchildren. Marks told the woman she needed the money to place at an altar in an elaborate ritual.
"She said you have to buy a black pillowcase, you have to put (the money) inside a white envelope, the money in this denomination, this denomination, you have to put an egg, you have to put a magnet, it's a lot of things," the victim said.
However, once the money was cleansed and the spirits left, Marks was supposed to return the cash. The victim we spoke with said that never happened.
The victim said Marks told her, "That money's gonna be on the altar. It's not for me. It's untouchable. It will be cleaned up and given back to you."
She lost a total of $37,000.
The victim said she feels duped. She believes she unknowingly gave Marks information that assisted in the scheme. She said Marks asked for photos of family members and for personal information.
"She's very good in lying and in reading your body expressions," the victim said, adding that Marks played on her vulnerabilities and fears.
The woman said Marks repeatedly sent text messages saying she was working on her case. Detectives say that's not the only writing Gina Marks did. They say she wrote a book called Miami Psychic under a pseudonym.
For the victim we spoke with, she still cannot believe she trusted Gina Marks.
"She's just playing with your mind, with your life, with your family, with your health and with everything because you get involved in that," the victim said.
Marks is a white female, 5 feet tall, and weighs approximately 125 pounds. She has blonde hair and was last seen in Plantation. Marks is also the author of the book
Miami Psychics, which was published under the name of Regina Milbourne.
BSO detectives are continuing with their investigation and believe there may be more victims. Investigators are asking that anyone who may have been victimized by Marks or knows her whereabouts to call Det. John Murray at
BSO Economic Crimes Unit at 954-321-4255.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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