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

Philip and Nicole Scolaro now face five criminal charges.

One of the victims was a blind and elderly woman at the time of the alleged events. She has since died and was unable to obtain justice during her lifetime.

“This happens too often. I think a lot of it, again, they don’t know it’s a scam,” said Annie Hewitt, director of health and wellness at Silver Key Senior Services.

The Scolaros told their victims that they owned an operating gold mine in Africa.

Over three years, the two men stole more than $4 million from two women, according to a 17-page indictment from the Colorado state grand jury.

The Scolaros were arrested in Florida in late October.

The two men reportedly asked investors to help them extract, secure and transport gold from their so-called mine, with the promise of a return on their investment. This money, in turn, was used for their personal expenses, purchasing properties and luxury cars.

According to the indictment, one of the victims, identified as Martha Larson, was an at-risk person during the scheme. She transferred more than three properties to the Scolaros, totaling more than $2.1 million.

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

“It’s really sad when it happens because being able to recover from it is almost impossible,” Hewitt added.

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

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

It is not yet known when the couple will be extradited to Colorado.

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