COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) – A couple was placed behind bars in Lee County, Florida, this week after authorities say they defrauded two women of millions of dollars in Monument, Colorado.

Philip and Nicole Scolaro are currently facing five felony charges.

One of the victims was an elderly blind woman at the time of the alleged plot. He has since died and was unable to get justice while he was alive.

“This happens so often. “I think for the most part, they don’t know it’s a scam,” said Annie Hewitt, director of health and wellness for Silver Key Senior Services.

Scolaros told his victims that they were the owners of a working gold mine in Africa.

According to a 17-page grand jury indictment from the state of Colorado, the duo stole more than $4 million from two women over three years.

The Scolaros were arrested in Florida in late October.

The duo reportedly asked investors to help them extract, secure and transport gold from their purported mines, with the promise of a return on their investment. This money was used for his personal expenses, property purchases and luxury cars.

One of the victims, identified as Martha Larson, was a person at risk during the scheme, according to the indictment. He transferred three properties to Scolaros, totaling more than $2.1 million.

The second victim, Leslie Cohen, gave them more than $800,000.

“It’s really sad that this happened because it’s almost impossible to recover from it,” Hewitt added.

The indictment also states that this will not be Philip Scolaro’s first crime. Court documents detail that he has a lengthy criminal record in New Jersey dating back to 1987.

Philip Scolaro also faces charges in Florida for grand theft and fraud under $20,000.

There is no word yet on when the couple will be extradited to Colorado.

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