Social media influencer and entrepreneur, Hajia4Reall, has been extradited from the United Kingdom to the United States over an alleged $2 million romance scam.
According to reports, the Ghanaian-born influencer, whose real name is Mona Faiz Montrage, was arrested in the UK in June 2021 on an extradition warrant.
She was accused of defrauding several men in the US through a romance scam where she posed as a wealthy businesswoman looking for love.
The US authorities alleged that Hajia4Reall used fake identities and profiles on dating websites to lure her victims into sending her money.
She reportedly promised them love and companionship, but instead, she used the funds for her personal expenses.
After her arrest in the UK, the US authorities requested her extradition to face charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering.
The request was granted by the UK courts, and she was extradited to the US on Monday.
Hajia4Reall, who has over 3.4 million followers on Instagram, rose to fame as a socialite and fashionista. She later ventured into music and released her debut single, “Badder Than,” in 2020.
Her extradition has sparked mixed reactions among her fans and followers. Some have expressed shock and disbelief, while others have called for justice to be served if she is found guilty of the charges against her.
The case is expected to go to trial in the US, where Hajia4Reall will have the opportunity to defend herself against the allegations. If found guilty, she could face up to 20 years in prison and hefty fines.
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Story by: Kelly Adjetey Boye | univers.ug.edu.gh
