Hajia4Reall to Be Released Today After Serving 1 Year Sentence for Romance Scam in U.S.
Ghanaian socialite and convicted romance scammer Mona Faiz Montrage, popularly known as Hajia4Reall, is set to be released today, Thursday, May 22, after serving a one-year prison sentence in the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York confirmed that Mona was sentenced on June 28, 2024, after pleading guilty to her role in a transnational romance fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable elderly victims across the United States. She was convicted of conspiracy to receive stolen money, a charge that carried a maximum sentence of five years, but received a reduced sentence based on a plea bargain and cooperation with investigators.
Romance Scam Scheme and Arrest
According to court documents and public statements by federal prosecutors, Hajia4Reall was involved in laundering proceeds from romance scams orchestrated by a network of Ghana-based criminals between 2013 and 2019. Victims were deceived into sending large sums of money under the belief they were helping romantic partners.
Montrage personally received over $2 million in illicit funds from at least six victims, using her celebrity status and multiple bank accounts to obscure the sources. She was arrested in the UK in November 2022 and extradited to the U.S. in May 2023.
Asset Forfeiture and Deportation Possibility
In addition to her sentence, she was ordered to forfeit $2.1 million and luxury assets acquired through the fraud, including designer handbags, jewelry, and a luxury vehicle. U.S. authorities have not confirmed whether she will be deported to Ghana upon release, but immigration procedures typically follow in such cases.
Her legal team has not yet issued a formal statement regarding her release.
Also Read: Hajia4reall sentenced to 1 year 1 day term in prison by US court
