Florida Couple Arrested for Scamming Elderly Women in $4 Million Goldmine Fraud
A Florida couple, Phil and Nicole Scolaro, were arrested in late October and are now facing five felony charges, including fraud and theft, after allegedly scamming two elderly women out of more than $4 million. According to an indictment from an El Paso County grand jury, the couple convinced the women they were partial owners of an African goldmine. Over a period of three years, they defrauded the women by using this fabricated story to exploit them financially.
Currently held in El Paso County Jail, the Scolaros are facing a combined bond of $1 million. Their next court appearance is set for December 4. Despite the absurdity of the scam, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Senior Resource Deputy Ryan Falkner emphasized that anyone, regardless of age, can fall victim to scams.
Deputy Falkner explained that seniors are often targeted for scams due to their trustfulness, lack of tech-savviness, and the fact that they may have accumulated savings over time. “Scammers often believe older adults may have deeper pockets,” he said.
To help protect older individuals, Falkner teaches them how to recognize the red flags of scams. He also shared that many scams go unreported because victims feel embarrassed to come forward. Falkner encourages younger family members to build trust with their elderly relatives, so they feel comfortable seeking help if they fall victim to fraud.
“It’s crucial to act quickly by notifying banks, halting the transaction, and contacting law enforcement,” Falkner said, urging communities to stay vigilant against such schemes.
