JUST IN: Hajia 4Reall Pleads Guilty to Romance Scam in U.S. Court

Ghanaian influencer Hajia 4Reall, also known as Mona Faiz Montrage, has pleaded guilty to her involvement in a romance scam operation, as confirmed by the United States Attorney’s Office. According to the report, Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the guilty plea on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024.

The charges against Montrage include conspiracy to receive stolen money, stemming from her participation in a criminal enterprise based in West Africa. This syndicate orchestrated a series of fraudulent schemes, notably targeting vulnerable individuals and businesses in the United States, particularly through romance scams.

The modus operandi of the enterprise involved deceiving victims, primarily older men and women living alone, into believing they were in genuine romantic relationships. Montrage played a pivotal role in receiving funds obtained through these scams, with victims tricked into sending money under false pretenses, such as payments for transporting non-existent gold overseas.

Prosecutors revealed that Montrage controlled a bank account that received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from the enterprise between 2013 and 2019. As part of her plea agreement, she has agreed to forfeit $2,164,758.41 and make full restitution. She faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.

Damian Williams condemned the actions of Montrage and emphasized the relentless pursuit of justice against fraudsters targeting Americans, regardless of their location. The guilty plea serves as a reminder of the prevalence of online scams and the devastating impact they can have on victims worldwide.