Written By : Afua Amankwanowa
Mona Faiz Montrage, popularly known as Hajia4Reall on Instagram, has entered a guilty plea in connection with her involvement in a series of romance scams. The 31-year-old Ghanaian influencer faced charges of laundering proceeds from these scams before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, as announced by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Hajia4Real was linked to a criminal enterprise based in West Africa, specializing in romance scams that primarily targeted vulnerable individuals, especially older men and women. Perpetrators of these scams created fake identities, establishing false romantic relationships to gain victims' trust. Once trust was established, they convinced victims to transfer money to bank accounts under their control. This unfortunate situation highlights the importance of staying vigilant and protecting oneself from such scams.
The U.S. Department of Justice disclosed that Hajia4Real received funds from multiple victims tricked by the enterprise into sending money. The scams involved various false pretenses, including payments for transporting gold, resolving fake FBI investigations, and assisting a fabricated U.S. Army officer in receiving funds from Afghanistan.
Hajia4Real managed bank accounts that received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from the enterprise. She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to receive stolen money, carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Additionally, she agreed to pay a forfeiture of $2,164,758.41 and make restitution in the same amount. Sentencing is scheduled to be decided by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation received commendation for its exceptional work in this case. The Office's Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mitzi Steiner and Kevin Mead, is handling the prosecution. It's a stark reminder to stay cautious and informed in the digital age, where scams can have real-life consequences.
Sign up for the 3Music Newsletter for breaking news, events, and unique stories.
In a major crackdown on online scams, Meta has shut down approximately 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria linked to sexual extortion scams.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Alicia Keys has achieved a milestone in her illustrious career, earning her first diamond-certified single with the iconic hit EMPIRE STATE OF MIND.
Former NFL star Antonio Brown has welcomed a new addition to his family, a baby boy, with his partner Cydney Moreau.
NBA legend LeBron James has been selected as one of the flag bearers for Team USA during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics
Legendary rapper and entrepreneur Snoop Dogg has been chosen to carry the Olympic torch for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr made history on July 23rd, 2024, with her debut performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Queen Drie is set to take the stage by storm this summer with a series of live performances in Chicago
Ghanaian rapper Kweku Flick is gearing up to release a brand new song titled ADAADAA this Friday
Ghanaian-American singer-songwriter Amaarae took the stage at the iconic Roskilde Festival in Denmark, delivering a mesmerizing performance to a crowd of 130,000 people
After a hiatus in 2023, the highly anticipated 3Music Awards is making a grand return in 2024. The exciting announcement was made at a press soiree held today at the Capital Café and Restaurant in Labone, where industry insiders and media personalities gathered to witness the unveiling of this major event.
The forthcoming Paris Olympics opening ceremony promises to be a spectacle of unparalleled grandeur, showcasing the city's rich cultural heritage and technological prowess.
Nigerian music star Ayra Starr is set to make her debut on the prestigious The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing on July 23, 2024
Comments