By Emmanuel Amoah
Ghanaian socialite and musician Hajia4Reall, once known for her lavish lifestyle and glamorous appearances, has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison in the United States for her role in a romance scam that defrauded victims of thousands of dollars.
The 29-year-old, whose real name is Mona Faiz Montrage, was arrested in November 2022 and extradited to the US in May 2023 to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering.
Hajia4Reall’s sentencing marks a dramatic fall from grace for the once-celebrated socialite, who had built a reputation for her extravagant spending and high-end fashion sense. Her case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online fraud and the consequences of criminal behavior.
The prosecution revealed that Hajia4Reall had communicated with multiple victims, posing as a potential love interest, and received wire transfers over thousands of US dollars.
Her defense team argued for a lenient sentence, citing her lack of prior criminal history and her cooperation with authorities. However, the US Attorney’s Office pushed for the full 37-month term, citing similar cases and emphasizing the need for a proper deterrent.
The court ultimately decided on a one-year and one-day sentence, with the extra day allowing for “good time.” Hajia4Reall’s legal team expressed satisfaction with the outcome, and she is expected to be released and allowed to return to Ghana without ICE detention.
The sentence marks the end of a long and tumultuous legal battle for Hajia4Reall, who had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Her fall from grace serves as a reminder that crime does not pay, and that justice will always be served in the end.
