EOCO to conduct lifestyle audits targeting celebrities and wealthy individuals
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has announced plans to initiate lifestyle audits targeting celebrities and individuals suspected of possessing excessive wealth.
This initiative comes in the wake of a recent high-profile case involving Ghanaian social media influencer and musician Mona Montrage, also known as Hajia4reall, who pleaded guilty to in a $2 million romance scam case.
READ ALSO: Hajia4Reall Agrees To Pay Over $4M To US Authorities
The incident has sparked widespread concerns about the perceived inability of Ghanaian authorities to curb the proliferation of illicit enrichment.
Head of Administration and Investigations at EOCO, Edward Cudjoe revealed that procedures were in place to start lifestyle audits for people who have unexplained wealth.
Mr Cudjoe stressed EOCO’s desire to deviate from the existing law, which requires a person to be a subject of investigations before being questioned about the source of their wealth.
“We are leading the charge by ourselves, making certain proposals for the amendment of the law to align with international standards. This ensures that any gaps in your financial profile are substantiated by your earnings. Any disparities must be clarified to law enforcement, and the burden of proof rests on the individual to explain the origin of those resources,” he said.
It will be recalled that Hajia4Reall was extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom over her alleged involvement in a $2 million romance scam locally called ‘sakawa’ targeting older, single Americans, in May 2023.
Prosecutors said she was charged with conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud and money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
She was also charged with receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, and conspiracy to receive stolen money, with a maximum of five years.
However, according to the United States Attorney’s Office website, the socialite pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to receive stolen money.
This charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Hajia4Reall also agreed to pay forfeiture for $2,164,758.41 and make restitution in the same amount.