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Hajia4Reall pleads guilty in $2 Million romance scam money laundering case
Mona Faiz Montrage, known popularly as Hajia4Reall has pleaded guilty to her involvement in a West African criminal enterprise responsible for orchestrating romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals in the United States.
Operating from at least 2013 to 2019, the enterprise preyed on lonely individuals, convincing them of romantic relationships before deceiving them into transferring money to fraudulent accounts controlled by the group. Montrage, a Ghanaian influencer with millions of followers, received over $2 million from victims who were misled into sending money under false pretenses, such as transporting gold or resolving fake FBI investigations.
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The criminal enterprise, specializing in romance scams, exploited the trust of older, isolated victims by creating fake identities on social media. Montrage played a major role in the money laundering aspect, receiving funds under false pretenses, such as assisting a fake U.S. Army officer or resolving a fabricated FBI investigation. Praised by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, highlighting the diligence of law enforcement in combating cybercrime. Montrage’s sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.