Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage, known as Hajia 4Reall, has been sentenced by a U.S. court to one year and one day in prison for her role in a romance scam, as reported by Inner City Press. Despite her lawyers advocating for a reduced sentence of three months, the judge imposed the longer term, with an additional day for eligibility of “good time” reduction.

The sentencing followed a plea from Hajia 4Reall’s defense team, emphasizing her responsibilities as a single mother. However, the U.S. Attorney’s Office pushed for a harsher 37-month sentence, referencing the severity of the crime and the necessity for a deterrent.

Hajia 4Reall faced charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. She was implicated in a $2 million scam, where she allegedly communicated with victims and received substantial wire transfers under false pretenses. Her arrest in the United Kingdom led to her extradition to the U.S. for prosecution.

Following the verdict, her legal representatives, the Fast Law Firm, expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the significant reduction from the government’s original request. They announced that Hajia 4Reall would issue a personal statement in due course.