Philip Scolaro,Nicole Scolaro ARRESTED; – A couple has been incarcerated in Lee County, Florida, this week after authorities alleged that they defrauded two women in Monument, Colorado, out of millions of dollars. Philip and Nicole Scolaro are currently confronting five felony charges. One of the victims was an elderly blind woman at the time of the alleged fraud. She has since passed away without having the opportunity to seek justice during her lifetime.
“It occurs far too frequently. A significant factor is that many individuals are unaware that they are being scammed,” stated Annie Hewitt, the director of health and wellness at Silver Key Senior Services. The Scolaros claimed to be the proprietors of an operational gold mine in Africa.
Over a span of three years, the couple is accused of embezzling over $4 million from the two women, as detailed in a 17-page grand jury indictment issued by the state of Colorado. The Scolaros were apprehended in Florida at the end of October.
The couple allegedly solicited investors to assist in the extraction, securing, and transportation of gold from their purported mine, promising returns on their investments. Instead, the funds were diverted for their personal expenditures, including the purchase of properties and luxury vehicles.
According to the indictment, one victim, identified as Martha Larson, was considered at-risk during the fraudulent activities. She transferred more than three properties to the Scolaros, valued at over $2.1 million. The second victim, Leslie Cohen, provided them with more than $800,000. “It is truly unfortunate when such incidents occur, as recovery from such losses is nearly impossible,” Hewitt remarked.
The indictment further reveals that this is not Philip Scolaro’s first offense. Court documents indicate that he has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1987 in New Jersey. Additionally, Philip Scolaro faces charges in Florida for crimes including grand theft and fraud involving amounts less than $20,000. There has been no announcement regarding the timeline for the couple’s extradition back to Colorado.
