In an ‘Exhibit B’ titled ‘Romance Scam: The Story of Sam Cross and Fake Mona4Reall’, Mona Faiz Montrage’s legal team presented compelling testimony asserting their client’s innocence against the fraud charges leveled against her.
A key piece of evidence provided by Mona’s lawyers detailed the account of Sam Cross, who claimed to have fallen victim to a scam perpetrated by someone impersonating Mona4Reall.
According to Sam, he had been deceived into believing he was interacting with the real Mona through a series of elaborate deceptions.
Sam, a 75-year-old fitness coach renowned for his Instagram fitness videos, recounted how he initially connected with someone using photos of Hajia4Reall/ Mona4Reall, on Instagram, whom he assumed to be Mona4Reall herself.
Their conversations grew more intimate as ‘Fake Mona’ portrayed herself as residing in Durham, North Carolina, and operating a dental clinic, while Sam lived in New York.
They exchanged photos and personal details, including ‘Fake Mona’s’ claim that her daughter lived with relatives in New York.
The deception escalated when Sam stumbled upon a promotional poster featuring the real Mona4Reall at the Ghana Music Awards.
Confronting ‘Fake Mona’ with this discovery, she insisted it was indeed her, pleading secrecy out of fear Sam would leave her.
Sam, trusting her, unwittingly became entangled in a web of lies where ‘Fake Mona’ introduced him to individuals like Henry Wald, purportedly a social media expert, and a Ghanaian attorney named Ama.
They coerced Sam into financing various endeavors, including legal fees and purportedly planning to secure millions from Mona’s management.
Sam recounted footing bills for ‘Fake Mona’s’ fake medical treatments, funding a fictional Muslim marriage ceremony, and covering miscellaneous expenses like visa fees and school fees for her child.
He claimed to have managed her events, including appearances with notable artists like Stonebwoy and Efya, both locally and internationally.
The scam deepened with ‘Fake Mona’s’ release of a song and interactions involving a ‘fake Bola Ray’ promising assistance and further draining Sam’s finances.
The charade unraveled when news broke of Mona’s arrest in connection with a $2 million romance scam.
A panicked Sam reached out to ‘Fake Bola Ray’, only to realize the depth of his deception upon Mona’s extradition to the U.S. and subsequent legal proceedings.
It was during his meeting with Mona’s attorney in the U.S. that Sam finally grasped the extent of the scam he had fallen prey to.
His story served as a pivotal piece of evidence in Mona’s defense, shedding light on the intricacies of the alleged impersonation and fraud.
This testimony from Sam Cross underscored the complexities and emotional toll of online deception, highlighting the importance of vigilance and verification in virtual relationships.
Meanwhile, Mona is currently pleading for the court to grant her a reduced three-month jail term and deportation from the United States.
source: Ghana Web
