Mona Faiz Montrage, widely recognized as Hajia4Real, has admitted her involvement in the laundering of funds obtained through a series of romance scams.
She formally pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to receive stolen money before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.
The 31-year-old socialite from Ghana confessed to a single count of conspiring to receive stolen money, an offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Furthermore, Montrage has agreed to forfeit and provide restitution totaling $2,164,758.41. In November 2023, Hajia4Real opted to change her legal representation.
This decision followed her separation from Adam Cortez, who had served as her attorney since the onset of her prosecution.
On November 8, 2023, Hajia4Real submitted a request for a change in attorney to the US court, which was granted the following day, November 9, 2023.
She subsequently engaged the services of Ms. Eleanor Fast from ‘The Fast Law Firm PC’ to handle her case going forward.
The specific reasons for her decision to switch lawyers were not disclosed.
