A 24-year-old Nigerian, Mercy Ojedeji, has admitted to committing wire fraud and using forged immigration documents in the United States.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, Ojedeji entered a guilty plea before a federal court in St. Louis.
He confessed to obtaining a student visa through fraudulent means, using fake academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a fabricated résumé, and a counterfeit English language test result to secure admission into the University of Missouri’s PhD chemistry program for the Fall 2023 session.
After securing the visa, Ojedeji was able to obtain a Social Security number, rent housing, open a bank account, and get a Missouri driver’s license.
He also received a tuition waiver and a stipend, with the total benefits exceeding $49,000.
However, his failure to attend classes or engage in research led to his removal from the graduate program in January 2024, which also triggered the cancellation of his student visa.
Despite this, he allegedly used the invalid visa to acquire another driver’s license in February 2024.
The case took a broader turn when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service began investigating a romance scam.
Authorities received complaints that victims had been sending cash and gift cards to the home of Ojedeji’s partner.
Investigators tracked 35 Express Mail packages between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024, to Nigerian-based IP addresses.
A court-approved search of the property uncovered numerous parcels tied to the romance scam. Officials said 193 packages had been delivered to the residence via multiple courier services during Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman.
Seventeen of those parcels contained $94,150 in cash and gift cards. Prosecutors believe the scam may have intended to defraud victims of over $1 million.
Though Ojedeji admitted to the visa and wire fraud charges, he denied involvement in the romance fraud operation.
His sentencing is set for July 10. The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the immigration fraud charge could add up to 10 years in prison and an equivalent fine.
The final sentencing decision will be made by the presiding judge.
