Ghanaian Socialite Hajia4Reall Pleads Guilty in $2m Romance Scam Case in US

In a stunning turn of events, Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage, famously known as Hajia4Reall, has confessed to her involvement in a $2 million romance scam case, as disclosed by the United States Attorney’s Office on Wednesday.

Hajia4Reall pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to receive stolen money, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Moreover, she has agreed to forfeit a staggering $2,164,758.41 and is obligated to make restitution in the same amount. Her sentencing awaits a decision from U.S. District Judge, Paul A. Crotty, with the date yet to be determined.

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, underscored the gravity of the offense, emphasizing that Mona Faiz Montrage knowingly accepted money stolen from older Americans through romance scams. Williams emphasized the severe legal consequences Hajia4Reall faces due to her actions, particularly noting the impact of the scam on vulnerable elderly victims who were deceived into believing they had genuine romantic connections online.

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“This Office and our law enforcement partners are relentless in bringing fraudsters who target Americans to justice, no matter where they are,” stated the Attorney, emphasizing their commitment to pursuing justice for victims of such scams.

Hajia4Reall, once known for her socialite status and recent foray into music, was extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom in May 2023 over her alleged involvement in the $2 million romance scam, locally referred to as ‘sakawa,’ targeting older, single Americans.

Prosecutors revealed that she faced charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. The modus operandi of the enterprise involved deceiving victims into believing they were in romantic relationships with fake identities, ultimately leading to financial exploitation.

The prosecution outlined that Hajia4Reall received money from several victims of romance frauds, tricked into sending funds under false pretenses such as transporting gold overseas or resolving fake FBI investigations. In total, she controlled bank accounts that received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from the enterprise.

Initially pleading not guilty to all charges, Hajia4Reall was released on bail. However, her recent admission of guilt marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings, underscoring the importance of holding perpetrators of romance scams accountable for their actions.