The United States Attorney’s Office has emphasized that Ghanaian influencer Hajia4Reall is to be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in relation to the charges brought against her.
The popular artist, who was extradited from the UK to the US, stands accused of defrauding elderly, single American individuals in a deceptive lonely hearts scam, allegedly amounting to over $2 million.
The prosecution claims that Hajia4Reall’s fraudulent activities primarily targeted elderly and solitary Americans, taking advantage of their vulnerability and isolation. According to reports, she has entered a not-guilty plea and is expected to be released on a $500,000 bail with GPS monitoring using an ankle monitor.
Prosecutors assert that between 2013 and 2019, Hajia4Reall collaborated with a group of scam artists from West Africa, assuming false identities to deceive individuals into believing they were engaged in genuine relationships through email, text messages, and social media interactions.
Mona Faiz Montrage, known as Hajia4Reall, is facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, receipt of stolen money, and conspiracy to receive stolen money. If convicted, these charges carry maximum sentences ranging from five to twenty years in prison.
The United States Attorney’s Office has reminded the public that the allegations outlined in the indictment are accusations, and the defendant is to be regarded as innocent unless proven guilty.
Hajia4Reall was apprehended on November 10, 2022, in the UK for her alleged involvement in the conspiracy and was subsequently transported to the US. She now faces charges of wire fraud, money laundering, receipt of stolen money, and conspiracy, with a potential maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment for the most severe charge.
