Culture

Ghanaian social media influencer, Mona Faiz Montrage charged in US

Published

12 months ago

May 16, 2023

A Ghanaian social media influencer, Mona Faiz Montrage, better known as Hajia4Reall, has been extradited from the UK to the US where she is facing charges of defrauding older, single American males out of over $2 million in what the FBI described as a “depraved lonely hearts scam.”

Montrage is facing charges of wire fraud, money laundering, receipt of stolen money, and conspiracy. If found guilty, she may spend up to 20 years in jail.

The 30-year-old Accra-born Montrage was charged in the Manhattan Federal Court on Monday for her role in several romance scams that preyed on older people who were living alone, US Attorney for Manhattan, Damian Williams, told a press conference on Tuesday.

“As alleged, Mona Faiz Montrage was a member of a criminal conspiracy that specifically targeted older Americans through romance scams,” Williams stated.

“These scams can be both financially and emotionally devastating for vulnerable victims. Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners, Montrage was arrested abroad and has been brought to the United States to face justice,” he added.

Montrage, who has over 3.4 million followers on Instagram and had one of the top 10 profiled accounts in Ghana, is suspected to be part of a syndicate of fraudsters from West Africa who used emails, texts, and social media communications to dupe individuals into believing they were in relationships with them from at least 2013 to 2019, the FBI stated.

According to court documents, the scammers would persuade their victims to wire money to them under false pretenses, such as helping to smuggle gold to the US from overseas, resolving fraudulent FBI investigations, and payments to support fake US Army officers in Afghanistan.

Court filings also indicated that Montrage allegedly conned a victim into transferring $89,000 over 82 wire transfers under the guise of assisting her father’s farm in Ghana.

“After several phone calls using her true identity, she allegedly deceived the person into thinking the two of them had tied the knot by handing them a tribal marriage certificate.”

Prosecutors also claim that Montrage accepted money from several other people who had been defrauded by con artists connected to her ring.

“In total, Montrage received $2 million from the victims’ money that the group embezzled into bank accounts she held in the Bronx and elsewhere, including one she opened under the fictitious name of a clothing firm, 4Reall Designs,” court documents further revealed.

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Culture

Egypt unveils stamp to mark 100th anniversary of relationship with Brazil

Published

23 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Egyptian Post Board has unveiled a stamp to mark its 100th anniversary of relations with Brazil.

The commemorative stamp which was unveiled on Thursday, is designed with an artistic image that contains some of the famous tourist attractions in both countries.

With a size of 4 cm by 6 cm,
the stamp is insured against counterfeiting, multi-colored, and is value 10 Egyptian pounds.

According to Dr. Sherif Farouk, Chairman of the Egyptian Post Board of Directors, the stamp is equipped with QR Code technology, with the aim of creating a “rich interactive experience for those who possess them, enabling them to acquire the necessary knowledge about this occasion in an innovative and attractive way.”

“Egyptian-Brazilian relations are characterized by mutual trust, and close and constructive cooperative relations,” Dr. Farouk said.

He further explained that during the past years, Egypt and Brazil were able to develop means of cooperation to include many fields, which informed the idea by Egyptian Post to take the initiative of issuing a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Egyptian-Brazilian relations

“The anniversary stamp has the aim of strengthening the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries,” he stated.

Dr. Farouk added that commemorative stamp is an important means of cultural communication between different countries of the world, and document the history of nations throughout the ages.

“Therefore, the Egyptian Post is always keen to issue commemorative stamps on important events and occasions to document and commemorate those events,” he noted.

Culture

Ghanaians celebrate return of Asante Gold artefacts looted by British

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Ghanaians, especially those from the ancient Asante region, have been in joyous mood as they flocked to the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the region, to welcome the 32 golden artefacts which were returned to the Kingdom in a loan deal by the United Kingdom after they were looted about 150 years ago.

The agreement to loan back the artefacts to their original owners for an initial period of three years was reached between two British museums, the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and British Museum, and the Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with a possible of further extending the loan period.

The returned precious items have been on display at palace museum since they were returned and have been a source of joy for the people as they troop in daily to see and have a feel of their ancient history.

The return of the artefacts also coincides with the silver jubilee celebration of the Asantehene.

Some of the items, described by as “Ghana’s crown jewels” were looted during the Anglo-Ashanti wars of the 19th Century, including the famous Sargrenti War of 1874.

Among the returned artefacts are the sword of state, gold peace pipe and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king.

Other items like the gold harp (Sankuo) which were given to a British diplomat in 1817.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who spoke on the significance of the returned items, said the dignity of the Kingdom has been restored.

“This is a day for Asante. A day for the Black African continent. The spirit we share is back.

“We acknowledge the very painful history surrounding the acquisition of these objects.

“These treasures have borne witness to triumph and trials of the great kingdom and their return to Kumasi is testament to the power of cultural exchange and reconciliation,” the King added.