Mona Faiz Montrage, a Ghanaian musician and influencer who was extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom for an alleged $2 million (£1.6 million) romance fraud, pled not guilty to all charges.
Tuesday, she was brought before a magistrate, but she remains in custody until all bail conditions are met.
Prosecutors stated that she was charged with conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud and money laundering, each of which entails a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
She was also charged with receiving stolen property, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, and conspiracy to receive stolen property, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.
Montrage, also known as Hajia4Real, and her alleged criminal enterprise are accused of engaging in fraud, including romance schemes, from 2013 to 2019.
Popular GH musicians and major players are anticipated to fall with Hajia4Real.
They allegedly targeted older American men and women, as well as American enterprises.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendants sent a series of emails, text messages, and social media messages to deceive victims into believing they were in a romantic relationship, before exploiting them for financial gain.
In one instance, she is alleged to have extorted approximately $89,000 through 82 wire transfers after sending a phony traditional marriage certificate to the victim.
Prosecutors have also asserted that she defrauded individuals through deception.
With over four million Instagram followers, Montrage is an influential musician in Ghana. In Ghana, there is a sense of astonishment and dissatisfaction.
However, U.S. prosecutors have stated that she is blameless until proven guilty and that the charges against her are merely accusations.
On June 28th, she will return to court.