The United States District Court has approved the release of Ghanaian socialite and singer Mona Faiz Montrage, popularly known as Hajia4Real’s passport, setting the stage for her deportation to Ghana after serving her prison sentence.
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The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken, marks a significant development in the high-profile fraud case involving the celebrity influencer.
Legal Background and Conviction
Hajia4Real was arrested in the United Kingdom in 2022 and later extradited to the United States, where she faced multiple fraud-related charges. Investigations revealed that between 2013 and 2019, she was involved in an elaborate romance scam and money laundering scheme that defrauded unsuspecting victims, primarily elderly individuals, out of millions of dollars.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged her with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to receive stolen money, and money laundering, among other offenses. Facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all counts, Hajia4Real eventually reached a plea agreement and admitted to conspiracy to receive stolen money. On June 28, 2024, she was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to forfeit $216,475 and pay restitution of $1,387,458 to victims of the fraud scheme.
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Request for Passport Release
On November 1, 2024, Hajia4Real’s legal team, led by Fast Law, filed a formal request for the return of her passport to facilitate her self-deportation upon completing her sentence. The U.S. government did not oppose this request, and Judge Oetken granted the motion, instructing that her passport be handed over to her attorneys. This decision aligns with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy, which ensures that non-citizens convicted of crimes are deported upon completing their sentences.
How Hajia4Real Operated the Scam
According to court documents, Hajia4Real played a key role in a sophisticated scam network that targeted victims through fake romantic relationships. She used multiple fictitious identities to communicate with victims, deceiving them into believing they were in committed relationships. Once trust was established, she and her co-conspirators manipulated victims into transferring large sums of money under false pretenses, including claims of financial distress, urgent business needs, or medical emergencies.
Authorities discovered that she controlled five foreign bank accounts through which she received fraudulent funds from over 40 victims. These accounts were registered under fictitious business entities and operated from the Bronx, New York. The scam was part of a larger transnational criminal network that authorities have been working to dismantle.
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Deportation and Next Steps
With her passport now approved for release, Hajia4Real’s deportation process is expected to commence immediately after she completes her prison sentence. According to legal procedures, she will be escorted by U.S. Marshals directly to the airport and placed on a flight to Ghana without any domestic stops. Upon her return, she may face further investigations and scrutiny from Ghanaian authorities, given the international scope of her fraudulent activities.
Impact on Hajia4Real’s Career and Public Image
Before her arrest, Hajia4Real was a rising star in Ghana’s entertainment industry, known for her lavish lifestyle and musical career. She gained widespread attention with hit songs such as Fine Girl and Badder Than. However, her criminal conviction has severely damaged her reputation, raising questions about the authenticity of her wealth and success.
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Despite the controversy, some of her fans continue to support her, while others view her case as a cautionary tale about the consequences of engaging in fraudulent activities. Whether she will attempt to revive her career after her deportation remains uncertain.
Conclusion
The approval of Hajia4Real’s passport release marks a turning point in her legal saga. As she prepares to return to Ghana, her case serves as a stark reminder of the severe repercussions of financial fraud and the long reach of international law enforcement agencies.
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Her deportation will likely close this chapter of her legal troubles in the U.S., but its impact on her personal and professional life will be felt for years to come.