Rich Johnson
(NewsNation) — An Instagram influencer with nearly 3.5 million followers is heading to prison for her role in an online romance scam.
Mona Faiz Montrage was sentenced to one year and a day in prison following a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in New York City last month. She admitted to being part of a criminal enterprise based in her native Ghana that committed fraud against individuals and businesses in the U.S.
Montrage participated in the scheme by sending victims emails, text messages, and social media messages that misled them into believing they were in romantic relationships with fake identities. The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York noted, “Romance scams such as Montrage’s harm vulnerable, elderly victims not only through the betrayal of trust when they realize their online connection was fabricated but also by callously stealing their money.”
In related news, two other women remain free on bond after their arrests in June for allegedly defrauding older men out of over $7 million through a 15-year series of romance scams.
“Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy coldly defrauded elderly victims seeking companionship, using the millions gained from their fraud to lead lives of luxury at their victims’ expense,” stated a separate release from the U.S. Attorney’s office. Stanley was arrested in North Miami Beach, Florida, while Guy was taken into custody in New York. Both face multiple charges, including wire fraud and money laundering, and have been released on $250,000 bond each.
According to an FBI report, scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from older Americans last year, with losses from scams reported by individuals over 60 rising 11% compared to the previous year. Investigators warn of increasing tactics that brazenly target the vulnerable, including sending couriers to collect cash or gold directly from victims.
