Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage, also known as Hajia4Reall, has been extradited from the United Kingdom to the United States on charges of allegedly defrauding older, single American individuals in a romance scam, amounting to over $2 million. Mona Faiz Montrage, aged 30, appeared in Manhattan federal court where she pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her.
Her lawyer and the prosecutor’s office confirmed that she will be released on home detention to her aunt’s residence in New Jersey in the coming days, with a $500,000 bond and GPS tracking via an ankle monitor.
Also Read: Hajia4Real extradited to US in $2M romance scam
The indictment accuses Mona Faiz Montrage and others of being part of a criminal enterprise based in West Africa that engaged in various fraud schemes, including romance scams, targeting individuals and businesses across the United States. The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, conspiracy to receive stolen money, and receipt of stolen money.
The indictment alleges that between 2013 and 2019, Mona Faiz Montrage knowingly devised schemes to defraud and obtain money and property through false pretenses. She is accused of participating in fraud schemes involving romance scams, receiving wire transfers and cash deposits from victims. Additionally, she is charged with money laundering offenses, conducting financial transactions with the proceeds of unlawful activity, and conspiring to receive and possess stolen money.
The indictment outlines that Mona Faiz Montrage received and handled goods, securities, and money, valued at $5,000 or more, which had been stolen, unlawfully converted, and taken. The stolen proceeds were transferred from bank accounts and money transfer locations outside of New York to accounts in the Bronx and elsewhere.
If convicted, Mona Faiz Montrage faces severe penalties, including a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.
