A 24-year-old Nigerian PhD student, Mercy Ojedeji, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and immigration document fraud in the United States. He admitted to using fake academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a fake resume, and a fabricated English proficiency report to secure a student visa for the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program in Fall 2023.
Ojedeji obtained a Social Security card, Missouri driver’s license, bank account, and housing with the visa and received a stipend and tuition waiver worth over $49,000. However, after failing to attend classes, he was dismissed from the program in January 2024, resulting in the termination of his student visa. Despite this, he used the invalid visa to obtain a state driver’s license.
*Charges and Potential Penalties:*
– *Wire Fraud:* Up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine
– *Immigration Fraud:* Up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine
The investigation began after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service received complaints about a romance fraud scheme linked to Ojedeji’s partner. Authorities found 193 packages containing $94,150 in cash and gift cards, with estimated losses over $1 million. Ojedeji denied involvement in the romance scam despite pleading guilty to immigration and wire fraud charges. His sentencing is scheduled for July 10 ¹.
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