Ojedeji was accused of using forged documents to gain admission into a PhD program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
By Kehinde Okeowo
A Nigerian man identified as Mercy Ojedeji has been picked up by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after he allegedly orchestrated a complex fraud scheme in the United States.
This was revealed in a recent statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which stated that his offence includes forging academic documents, romance scams, and immigration violations that prosecutors say aimed to defraud victims of over $1 million.
The statement further noted that 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 of 2023.
His fraudulent application secured him a full tuition waiver valued at $49,000, along with stipends and other academic benefits.
“Mr. Ojedeji built a false academic profile to deceive a respected institution and gain financial benefits under false pretenses,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Authorities added that the 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.
Investigation into Ojedeji’a shady deals began after FBI agents received numerous complaints from victims of romance scams.
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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, while his sentencing is scheduled to take place in the coming months.
