Social media influencer and musician Mona Faiz Montrage, known as Hajia4Reall, has publicly responded to her guilty plea for romance scams in a U.S. court.
In a statement posted on her Instagram page on February 21, 2024, she explained that she voluntarily flew from Heathrow to JFK in May 2023 to face the criminal case in the Southern District of New York.
Her legal team’s statement emphasized that her plea does not define her as a person and does not reflect the person she is today.
Hajia4Reall expressed gratitude for the support of her fans, family, and legal representatives throughout the process.
“In May 2023, Ms. Montrage voluntarily boarded the flight from Heathrow to JFK to face the criminal case in the Southern District of New York.
“At that time, she took the first step to closing that chapter of her life. Today, she took responsibility for her bank accounts being used to receive funds from illicit conduct that ended in 2019. Ms. Montrage’s plea does not define her as a person and is not reflective of the individual she is today.
“Ms. Montrage is thankful for the support of her fans, family, and legal team throughout this process,” the statement said according to sources.
Currently, the statement has been deleted from the Instagram page.
Hajia4Reall has admitted guilt to receiving proceeds from a romance scam, as reported by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ).
A DoJ statement dated February 21, 2024, read in part: “Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the guilty plea today of MONA FAIZ MONTRAGE for her role in laundering the proceeds of a series of romance scams.”
Montrage has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to receive stolen money, which could result in a maximum sentence of five years in prison under U.S. laws.
Additionally, she has agreed to forfeit $2,164,758.41 and make restitution in the same amount.
The sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty at a later date, raising questions about whether she will receive the maximum five-year sentence.