Nigerian student pleads guilty to defrauding U.S. University of $49,000
A 24-year-old Nigerian man, Mercy Ojedeji, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. District Court in St. Louis, Missouri, to charges of wire fraud and using fraudulent immigration documents.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, Ojedeji admitted on Wednesday to fraudulently obtaining a student visa and securing admission into the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program for the Fall 2023 semester.
He used fake academic transcripts, forged recommendation letters, a fabricated resume, and a falsified English language proficiency report to support his visa application.
With the visa, he acquired a Social Security number, a Missouri driver’s license, housing, a bank account, and received a tuition waiver and stipend valued at more than $49,000 from the university.
However, he did not attend classes or engage in research and was dismissed from the program in January 2024.
His visa was subsequently terminated, but he later used the invalid visa to obtain a state driver’s license on February 26, 2024.
The investigation began after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service received complaints about a romance fraud scheme.
Authorities traced 35 Express Mail packages—sent between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024—to Nigerian IP addresses and addressed to the home of Ojedeji’s partner.
A court-authorized search of the residence uncovered evidence tied to the scheme.
In total, 193 packages were sent to the home via various courier services during Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman. Seventeen of them contained $94,150 in cash and gift cards.
Prosecutors estimate the intended financial loss from the broader fraud scheme to exceed $1 million.
Though Ojedeji admitted to immigration and wire fraud, he denied any role in the romance scam. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10.
The wire fraud charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The immigration fraud charge may result in an additional 10 years and a similar fine.
The final penalties will be determined by the presiding judge.
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