Hajia4Real extradited to the United States for $2m fraud

Popular Ghanaian socialite, Hajia 4 Real, has been extradited from the United Kingdom to the United States of America to face charges of fraud and money laundering.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) on Monday, May 14th 2023, unsealed a six-count federal indictment against Hajia, real name Mona Faiz Montrage.

Hajia 4 Real faces charges of wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and money laundering.

She is alleged to have been part of a fraud syndicate that between 2013 and 2019 defrauded tons of elderly Americans through a romance scheme.

Hajia participated in the scheme and received proceeds of the crimes in bank accounts controlled by her.

The FBI claims she made over $2m in total out of her crimes.

“As alleged, Mona Faiz Montrage was a member of a criminal conspiracy that specifically targeted older Americans through romance scams. These scams can be both financially and emotionally devastating for vulnerable victims. Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners, Montrage was arrested abroad and has been brought to the United States to face justice,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said.

Hajia 4 Real was arrested in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2022, and was extradited from the United Kingdom to the States on May 12, 2023.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “We alleged today that Ms. Montrage participated in multiple romance scams – often targeting elderly victims – resulting in more than $2 million in fraudulent funds under her control.

If convicted of all six charges, Hajia 4 Real faces a maximum possible cumulative sentence of 95 years in prison.