A 24-year-old Nigerian national, Mercy Ojedeji, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to charges of student visa fraud and wire fraud, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ojedeji, who resided in St. Louis County, Missouri, was admitted into a PhD chemistry program at a University of Missouri system school in Fall 2023 using fraudulent academic credentials, including forged transcripts and recommendation letters. These forged documents earned him a tuition waiver and stipend valued at over $49,000.
Using these falsified documents, Ojedeji also acquired a Social Security card, opened a bank account, and rented an apartment. However, he never attended classes or joined a research group, which led to the university terminating his enrollment in January 2024 and invalidating his visa.
Despite the visa cancellation, Ojedeji allegedly used the fraudulent documents again in February to obtain a Missouri driver’s license.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service was investigating a romance fraud scheme linked to him. Authorities found that between December 2023 and January 2024, 35 Express Mail packages—tracked to Nigerian IP addresses—were sent to Ojedeji’s romantic partner.
A broader probe uncovered that 193 packages, containing over $94,000 in cash and gift cards, had been mailed to the same address during their relationship. The U.S. Attorney’s Office estimates the total intended loss from the suspected fraud may exceed $1 million.
While Ojedeji has admitted guilt in the visa and benefit fraud, he denies involvement in the romance scam.
He is scheduled for sentencing on July 10, 2025, and faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about fraudulent visa activities, academic integrity, and transnational romance scams.
