Mona Faiz Montrage, a well-known Ghanaian musician and influencer, has pleaded not guilty to all charges after being extradited from the UK to the US over an alleged romance scam involving $2 million (£1.6 million). Despite appearing before a judge on Monday, she remains in custody until all bail conditions are fulfilled. The charges against her include conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud, money laundering, receipt of stolen money, and conspiracy to receive stolen money. If convicted, each charge carries a maximum sentence ranging from five to twenty years in prison.
According to prosecutors, Montrage, also known as Hajia 4Reall, and her alleged criminal enterprise conducted fraudulent activities, including romance scams, between 2013 and 2019. They specifically targeted older American men, women, and businesses. The modus operandi involved sending deceptive emails, text messages, and social media communications to establish romantic relationships and then exploiting the victims for financial gain.
One particular instance cited by prosecutors involved Montrage allegedly extorting around $89,000 through 82 wire transfers after sending the victim a counterfeit traditional marriage certificate. Additionally, she has been accused of defrauding individuals by misrepresenting herself.
With a significant following of over four million on Instagram, Montrage holds considerable influence in Ghana. Consequently, her involvement in such activities has shocked and disappointed many in the country. However, it's important to note that the US prosecutors have emphasized that these charges are mere accusations, and Montrage is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case will resume on June 28, providing an opportunity for further legal proceedings and the presentation of evidence to establish guilt or innocence conclusively.
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