Influencer Mona Montrage pleads guilty to conspiracy charge in multimillion-dollar catfishing scam

Prominent Bronx social media influencer, Mona Faiz Montrage, pleaded guilty to participating in a multimillion-dollar catfishing scam, admitting to laundering funds for a West Africa-based group of con artists. Operating from 2013 to 2019, Montrage targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly older, solitary individuals, convincing them to send cash under various pretexts, such as assisting with fake FBI investigations or aiding US Army officers in Afghanistan.

Montrage controlled bank accounts that received over $2 million in fraudulent funds, much of which was sent to her native Ghana. She manipulated one victim into sending $89,000 through 82 wire transfers, feigning a marital relationship and providing falsified marriage documentation.

Facing up to five years in prison, Montrage must also pay $2.1 million in restitution. Her arrest in the UK in November 2022 led to extradition to the US in May. Despite her large Instagram following, she used her platform to share content unrelated to the scam, including music, travels, and luxury items.

Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams condemned Montrage's actions, emphasizing the harm inflicted on vulnerable victims who were deceived into romantic relationships and financially exploited. Currently out on $500,000 bail and under GPS surveillance, Montrage resides with a relative in Union, NJ, with restricted travel privileges in parts of New York and New Jersey.