Faiz Montrage is scheduled to be released from the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia

Ghanaian socialite and musician, Mona Faiz Montrage, popularly known as Hajia4Real, is scheduled to be released today, Thursday, May 22, 2025, from the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, United States.

Her release follows a June 28, 2024 sentencing, where she received one year and one day in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money in connection with a romance scam operation. The scheme, which involved multiple victims across the U.S., resulted in over $2 million in fraudulent gains.

The inclusion of the extra day in her sentence makes her eligible for "good time" credit, a federal provision that allows inmates to earn reduced sentences for good behavior while incarcerated.

Return to Ghana approved

Following her release, a U.S. court has approved Hajia4Real’s request for voluntary self-deportation to Ghana, effectively allowing her to avoid being detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which typically processes the removal of non-citizens after serving criminal sentences.

This legal arrangement streamlines her return to Ghana without further complications related to immigration detention, though she will likely face intense public scrutiny and potential legal follow-ups depending on Ghanaian authorities' stance.

Background

Hajia4Real was extradited from the United Kingdom to the United States in 2023 and was charged with participating in a transnational romance fraud ring that targeted vulnerable individuals, often elderly, through fake online relationships.

As part of her plea deal, she admitted to knowingly receiving proceeds from the scam and agreed to forfeit substantial assets.

Her sentencing marked a significant fall from grace for the social media influencer, who had built a glamorous public image and music career before the charges surfaced.