According to court reports, Ghanaian social media influencer Hajia4Reall used five foreign bank accounts to scam six victims for over $2 million.
The accounts, which were opened under various non-existent business names in three different banks in Bronx, New York, were used to receive and withdraw funds from the victims, most of which consisted of cash and international wire transfers to Ghana.
In one instance, Hajia4Reall allegedly defrauded a 70-year-old woman by pretending to be a male in an online relationship.
Hajia4Reall claimed to need financial assistance to transport gold from overseas to the United States, and the victim sent $195,000 to a bank account under the name “4Reall Designs.”
However, the victim never received her money back or any returns on her supposed investment.
Hajia4Reall also used a similar approach to scam a 60-year-old man into sending her $89,000 to support her father’s farm in Ghana.
The victim sent 82 wire transfers to Accra, Ghana, through Money Gram, addressed to Mona and the victim’s last name.
The court reports also revealed that Hajia4Reall was involved in a romance scheme, where she targeted vulnerable, older Americans. Hajia4Reall would create fake online profiles and engage in romantic relationships with the victims, gaining their trust before asking them for money.
Hajia4Reall is currently facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, receipt of stolen money, and conspiracy to receive stolen money.
If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the first four charges, 10 years for the fifth charge, and five years for the sixth charge.
