The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested a Nigerian national, Mercy Ojedeji, 24, for orchestrating a complex fraud scheme involving forged academic documents, romance scams, and immigration violations that prosecutors say aimed to defraud victims of over $1 million.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ojedeji used forged transcripts, recommendation letters, a résumé, and an English proficiency report to gain admission into a PhD program in Chemistry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in Fall 2023.
His fraudulent application secured him a full tuition waiver valued at $49,000, along with stipends and other academic benefits.
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“Mr. Ojedeji built a false academic profile to deceive a respected institution and gain financial benefits under false pretenses,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a statement released Thursday, April 10.
Authorities say Ojedeji opened a bank account with the forged documents but soon stopped attending classes, failed to fulfill assistantship duties, and did not join any research group.
His behavior led to his expulsion from the university in February 2024 and the revocation of his student visa.
The investigation into Ojedeji began after FBI agents received numerous complaints from victims of romance scams.
Those complaints led agents to a residence connected to Ojedeji’s girlfriend, which was allegedly used to receive proceeds from the scams, including cash and gift cards.
“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.
Following a court-approved search of the residence, Ojedeji was arrested and charged with wire fraud and using forged immigration documents.
He has since pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis.
“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.
