Musician, Mona Faiz Montrage, also known as Hajia4Reall, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison by an American court on June 28, 2024.
The case, stemming from a romance fraud scheme dating back to 2023, saw her extradited from the United Kingdom.
During sentencing, Montrage’s lawyers argued for a shorter term of three months, citing her status as a mother and lack of prior criminal record.
However, the prosecution pushed for a longer sentence to deter similar schemes, highlighting that 32 victims lost a total of $1.4 million over six years.
The court proceedings revealed that Montrage’s defense cited abuse by a former boyfriend as a mitigating factor, while the prosecution emphasized her active participation in opening multiple bank accounts to facilitate the fraud.
Ultimately, the judge sentenced her to one year and one day, with the additional day allowing for potential early release based on good behavior.
Montrage, who expressed remorse during the sentencing, will face deportation upon completion of her sentence.
Jail term
Inner City Press, an American outfit that has followed the case since its inception shared an excerpt from proceedings on the final day:
Judge: The guideline is 37 to 46 months.
Assistant US Attorney (AUSA): The victims were vulnerable senior citizens. Some were promised marriage; they sent and lost money. Middlemen received 10%. AUSA: Defendant participated in this scheme fir six years. 32 victims lost $1.4 million. Meanwhile Ms. Montrage reinvented herself in Ghana.
Judge: She blames an abusive former boyfriend.
AUSA: He was arrested and deported. She continued. One victim confronted her…
Judge: She will be deported.
Defense lawyer: 3 months incarceration would be enough. She didn’t know the money going into her account was from romance fraud.
Judge: She created multiple bank accounts.
Defense: She’s never before disclosed her abuse by her ex boyfriend.
Montrage: I want to pay them back. I feel shame as a mother of an 8 year-old daughter. [Sobs] Please have mercy on me.
AUSA: She started opening these accounts at different banks at an earlier time. Many in Ghana are following this case. General deterrence is needed.
Defense: Victim-1 tracked her from her instagram photos – her video had a voice dubbed over, Victim-1 was catfished.
Judge: I sentence Ms Montrage to one year and one day in prison, the extra day to allow “good time.”
Defense: We propose she be allowed to fly back to Ghana as soon as she is released, with no ICE detention.
AUSA: We consent.
What is ICE?
ICE stands for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It essentially is the agency that makes a custody determination.