John Ficarra, 53, and Mara Ficarra, 54, a Southampton couple, were arrested Thursday morning for federal charges relating to an elder fraud scheme run through Remington Biographies, among other companies the couple controlled.

NY1 first reported accounts of five people who accused Remington of using unauthorized checks to take thousands of dollars. Remington solicited these people by mail to be included in a book containing biographical profiles called, “Inspiring the Youth of America.”

The indictment unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleges a second book was used in this scheme called, “The Remington Registry of Outstanding Professionals.”

The Ficarras are accused of inducing thousands of people to send checks for a small amount to be included in the Remington books.

“The Ficarras exploited victims by fraudulently using their bank routing numbers and bank account number to produce counterfeit checks,” explained USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett in a statement.

The counterfeit checks were deposited into various bank accounts controlled by the Ficarras. It is estimated the defendants acquired approximately $1 million in this scheme.

“The defendants preyed upon some of the most vulnerable members of our community, stealing their personal information and defrauding financial institutions,” United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Richard P. Donohue said in a statement.

The couple faces charges for conspiracy to commit mail, wire, and bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. They were released on $100,000 bond each.