Ghanaian influencer Mona Faiz Montrage aka Hajia 4reall has been sentenced to 1 12 months and in the future in jail for her function in a sequence of romance scams and laundering the proceeds from these schemes.
The sentencing happened in New York beneath U.S. District Decide J. Paul Oetken.
Montrage, recognized for her social media presence, was arrested in the UK on November 10, 2022, and extradited to america on Might 12, 2023.
The costs towards her included conspiracy to obtain stolen cash, which carries a most sentence of 5 years in jail.
Montrage pled responsible to those fees on February 21, 2024, earlier than U.S. Justice of the Peace Decide Sarah L. Cave.
Timeline of Authorized Proceedings
- November 10, 2022: Arrested in the UK.
- Might 12, 2023: Extradited to america.
- February 21, 2024: Pled responsible to conspiracy to obtain stolen cash.
- June 3, 2024: Preliminary sentencing date, postponed to June 28.
- June 28, 2024: Sentenced to 1 12 months and in the future in jail.
The Rip-off
Montrage was concerned in romance scams that focused susceptible senior residents, promising them marriage and subsequently defrauding them of their cash.
Over a six-year interval, 32 victims misplaced roughly $1.4 million. Montrage laundered the proceeds by a number of financial institution accounts she opened in her title.
Courtroom Particulars
In the course of the sentencing, the Assistant U.S. Lawyer highlighted the severity of Montrage’s actions and the influence on the victims.
“The victims had been susceptible senior residents. Some had been promised marriage; they despatched and misplaced cash,” mentioned the prosecutor. Montrage’s protection argued for a lighter sentence, citing her abusive relationship with a former boyfriend who was additionally concerned within the scams.
Montrage expressed regret in court docket, stating, “I need to pay them again. I really feel disgrace as a mom of an 8-year-old daughter. Please have mercy on me,” earlier than breaking into sobs.
Sentence and Penalties
Decide Oetken sentenced Montrage to 1 12 months and in the future in jail, permitting her the potential for “good time” credit score, which might scale back her sentence by a number of days. Moreover, Montrage agreed to pay $2,164,758.41 in forfeiture and restitution.
In mild of her sentence, Montrage’s protection requested that she be allowed to return to Ghana instantly after her launch to keep away from detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The prosecution consented to this request.
Wider Impression
The case has garnered vital consideration in Ghana, with many following the proceedings intently. The U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace emphasised the necessity for a sentence that might function a common deterrence, given the media protection and the affect Montrage had in Ghana.
Montrage’s case underscores the extreme penalties of taking part in romance scams and highlights the continuing efforts by regulation enforcement to prosecute such crimes.
The influencer’s sentencing goals to ship a robust message in regards to the significance of integrity and the authorized repercussions of fraud.
VLOG II June 28: Ghana influencer Mona Faiz Montrage a/okay/a @Hajia4Reall was this afternoon sentenced to a 12 months and a day in US jail then flight straight again to Ghana, no ICE – @SDNYLIVE Interior Metropolis Press thread: https://t.co/nv5NDDuPCK pic.twitter.com/SAOVBRrS6D
— Interior Metropolis Press (@innercitypress) June 28, 2024
For extra detailed protection, go to Substack. The case is listed as US v. Montrage, 22-cr-617 (Oetken).
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