A 24-year-old Nigerian named Mercy Ojedeji has confessed to engaging in wire fraud and presenting false immigration documents in the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri disclosed on Thursday that Ojedeji entered the guilty plea in a U.S. District Court located in St. Louis.
Ojedeji acknowledged on Wednesday that he had illegally obtained a student visa by submitting forged documents to gain admission into a PhD program in chemistry at the University of Missouri during the Fall 2023 semester.
The materials used included fake academic records, recommendation letters, a falsified resume, and a counterfeit English proficiency certificate.
With the fraudulent visa, he was able to acquire a Social Security number, open a bank account, secure accommodation, and receive a driver’s license from Missouri.
He also benefited from a tuition waiver and stipend from the university, amounting to more than $49,000.
However, his failure to attend classes or participate in any academic research led to his dismissal from the program in January 2024, which also resulted in the revocation of his visa.
Despite this, Ojedeji reportedly used the expired visa to obtain a state-issued driver’s license in late February 2024.
Investigations began when U.S. Postal authorities received reports of a romance scam, with several victims mailing money and gift cards to the residence of Ojedeji’s partner.
Officials traced 35 Express Mail packages sent between mid-December 2023 and early January 2024, which were linked to IP addresses originating from Nigeria.
A search, authorized by the court, revealed numerous parcels related to the romance fraud. Authorities reported that a total of 193 packages had been delivered to the home via different courier services during Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman.
Among the items seized were 17 parcels containing a combined $94,150 in cash and gift cards.
Prosecutors estimated that the total financial loss associated with the scheme could exceed $1 million.
Although Ojedeji admitted guilt in the immigration and wire fraud case, he denied any connection to the romance scam itself.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 10. The wire fraud conviction could lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
The charge for immigration fraud carries a potential additional sentence of 10 years and a similar fine.
The final judgment on penalties and losses will be determined by the presiding judge during sentencing.
