A Florida couple has been indicted for scamming two elderly women from Colorado out of millions of dollars, according to a 17-page grand jury indictment in El Paso County. Phil and Nicole Scolaro face five felony charges, including fraud and theft.
The couple allegedly convinced the victims that they owned a working gold mine in Africa, promising them “partial ownership” in exchange for large sums of money. The total amount the women were persuaded to send was more than $4 million.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Senior Resource Deputy Ryan Falkner explained that seniors are often targeted by scammers for several reasons, including their trusting nature and the assumption that their financial resources are greater due to years of saving. He stressed that while anyone can fall victim to a scam, older adults are particularly vulnerable.
Falkner, who works to educate seniors on how to recognize potential scams, uses two acronyms to help them identify red flags:
- SCAM: Stop, Call somebody, Ask informed, Make an informed decision
- STOP: S- Is it suspicious? T- Is it asking you to click a link? O- Is it offering something too good to be true? P- Is it pressuring you to act quickly?
He noted that scams often go unreported because victims feel embarrassed, but he urges seniors to establish strong relationships with their families so they feel comfortable asking for help if they suspect they’ve been scammed. The sooner law enforcement is notified, the better the chances of preventing further losses.
The Scolaros are currently being held in El Paso County Jail on a combined bond of $1 million. Their next court appearance is scheduled for December 4.
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