Hajia 4Reall To Reappear In Court On June 28 As She pleads Not Guilty To US Romance Scam

Ghanaian musician cum social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage known as Hajia 4Reall who was extradited to the US from the UK over an alleged $2m (£1.6m) romance scam, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is to reappear in court on June 28, 2023.

She appeared before a judge on Monday, May, 15  but is still in custody until all bail conditions are met.

US prosecutors have said the charges against her are accusations and she is innocent until proven guilty.

Hajia 4Reall was arrested in the UK on November 10, 2022, and was extradited from the UK on May 12, 2023.

Prosecutors said she was charged with conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud and money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.

She was also charged with receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, and conspiracy to receive stolen money, with a maximum of five years.

Montrage and her alleged criminal enterprise are accused of engaging in fraud including romance scams between 2013 and 2019.

They had allegedly targeted older American men, women and businesses.

Prosecutors said they sent a series of emails, text messages and social media messages to trick victims into believing they were in a romantic relationship – and then exploited them for monetary gains.

In one instance, she is alleged to have extorted about $89,000 through 82 wire transfers after sending the victim a fake traditional marriage certificate.

Prosecutors have also alleged she swindled people under false pretences.

Her arrest sparked so many reactions on social media as people were wondering how she managed to become very wealthy within a short space of time.