Audio By Carbonatix
Socialite Hajia4Reall, who was extradited to the US from the UK over an alleged $2m (£1.6m) romance scam, has reportedly been denied bail.
This comes after she petitioned the court to make some changes to the house arrest giving her freedom to move about certain places.
However, according to the US Department of Justice Hajia4Reall does not meet those bail conditions which include having a job and valid documents linking her to the US.
Also, the Justice Department indicated that she could be a flight risk and flee from the country should her bail conditions be relaxed.
This may put a delay in Hajia4Reall's plans to return to Ghana this July.
But, commenting on her arrest a month later in a post on Instagram, the socialite and musician noted that it is only a matter of time before she is vindicated.
“There is a time for everything, and the world will come to know the truth, and my story will be heard,” she wrote in the caption.
Background
Hajia4Reall has been charged in a $2m romance scam.
Prosecutors said she was charged with conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud and money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
She was also charged with receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, and conspiracy to receive stolen money, with a maximum of five years.
Montrage, popularly known as Hajia 4Reall, and her alleged criminal enterprise are accused of engaging in fraud including romance scams between 2013 and 2019.
They had allegedly targeted older American men, women and businesses.
Prosecutors said they sent a series of emails, text messages and social media messages to trick victims into believing they were in a romantic relationship – and then exploited them for monetary gains.
In one instance, she is alleged to have extorted about $89,000 through 82 wire transfers after sending the victim a fake traditional marriage certificate.
Prosecutors have also alleged she swindled people under false pretences.
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