Mercy Ojedeji, a 24-year-old Nigerian man, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and illegally using false immigration
credentials to get into a US university.
Ojedeji acknowledged on Wednesday, April 9, that he had obtained a student visa through deception in order to be
accepted into the University of Missouri’s PhD programme in chemistry for the autumn of 2023.
In order to get the visa, he admitted to fabricating a resume, recommendation letters, academic records, and an
English language competence report.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said in a statement on April 10 that the plea was made
in a US District Court in St. Louis, Missouri.
After obtaining the visa, Ojedeji was able to secure lodgings, a bank account, a driver’s license from Missouri, and a
Social Security card. The university also waived his tuition and gave him a stipend worth more than $49,000.
Ojedeji’s student visa was terminated in January 2024 after he was removed from the graduate programme for not
attending classes or engaging in research activities. Prosecutors claim that on February 26, 2024, he obtained a state
driver’s license using the revoked visa.
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When the U.S. Postal Inspection Service received allegations that victims of a romantic fraud scheme were mailing
cash and gift card parcels to Ojedeji’s partner’s residence, the investigation got underway.
Authorities tracked 35 Express Mail packages—sent between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024—that were
linked to Nigerian IP addresses.
While the immigration fraud allegation carries a maximum penalty of 10 additional years in prison and a
corresponding fine, the wire fraud accusation carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
During sentencing, the court will make the final decision about losses and penalties.
“A court-approved search of the home resulted in the discovery of packages sent pursuant to a Nigerian romance
fraud scheme.
“A total of 193 packages were sent to the home through the Postal Services Express Mail, Federal Express, and United
Parcel Service during Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman,” the statement reads.
Prosecutors estimate the total planned loss to be over $1 million, and $94,150 in cash and gift cards were found in 17
of the seized packages.
Ojedeji has denied involvement in the romance scam, even though he pleaded guilty to immigration and wire fraud counts.
On July 10, he is expected to be sentenced.
