Mercy Ojedeji, a 24-year-old Nigerian national, was detained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for masterminding a sophisticated fraud operation that included falsified academic documents, romance scams, and visa violations, all of which the prosecution claims were intended to swindle victims out of more than $1 million.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office claims that Ojedeji obtained admission to the University of Missouri-St. Louis’s PhD program in Chemistry in the autumn of 2023 by using falsified credentials, reference letters, a resume, and an English proficiency report.
He received a $49,000 complete tuition remission, stipends, and other academic advantages as a result of his bogus application.
“Mr. Ojedeji built a false academic profile to deceive a respected institution and gain financial benefits under pretenses,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a statement released Thursday, April 10.
According to authorities, Ojedeji used the falsified documents to create a bank account, but he quickly stopped going to courses, didn’t complete the assistantship requirements, and didn’t join any research groups.
Due to his actions, his student visa was revoked, and he was expelled from the institution in February 2024.
Following a flurry of complaints from victims of romance scams, FBI investigators launched their investigation into Ojedeji.
Agents were able to locate a home associated with Ojedeji’s girlfriend as a result of those reports, which was purportedly used to accept cash and gift cards obtained from the frauds.
“Between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024, agents tracked 35 Express Mail packages to the address.
“Further investigation uncovered that a total of 193 packages had been delivered to the home during the course of Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman,” the FBI reported.
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Ojedeji was arrested and charged with wire fraud and using false immigration paperwork after a court-approved search of the home.
Since then, he has entered a guilty plea in the St. Louis U.S. District Court.
“Ojedeji’s fraud extended beyond academic deception it was a multi-layered scheme that targeted both institutions and individuals,” prosecutors said.
The Nigerian national now faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Sentencing is scheduled to take place in the coming months.
