Mona Faiz Montrage, a Ghanaian artist and influencer who was deported to the US from the UK for an alleged $2 million (£1.6 million) romance scam, has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
She appeared in court on Monday but remains detained until all bail requirements are completed.
Prosecutors said she was charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering, all of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail.
She was also charged with receiving stolen money, which carries a possible sentence of ten years in prison, and conspiracy to accept stolen money, which carries a maximum term of five years in prison.
Between 2013 and 2019, Montrage, also known as Hajia4Reall, and her alleged criminal enterprise are accused of participating in fraud, including romance frauds.
They were said to have targeted older American males, women, and businesses.
Prosecutors claimed they wrote a series of emails, text messages, and social media messages to dupe victims into thinking they were in a love connection, then exploited them for monetary benefit.
In one case, she is accused of extorting $89,000 via 82 wire payments after delivering the victim a forged traditional marriage certificate.
Prosecutors also claim she defrauded others under false pretenses.
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Montrage is a well-known musician in Ghana, with over four million Instagram followers. Ghanaians have expressed amazement and dismay.
However, US prosecutors have stated that the charges against her are mere accusations and that she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
She will be back in court on June 28.
