ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – A 24-year-old Nigerian national, Mercy Ojedeji, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents in the United States.
According to a statement released on Thursday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the plea was entered at a U.S. District Court in St. Louis, Missouri.
On Wednesday, Ojedeji admitted to fraudulently obtaining a student visa and securing admission into the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program for Fall 2023.
He acknowledged using “falsified academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a fake resume, and a fabricated English language proficiency report” to obtain the visa.
With the visa, Ojedeji acquired a Social Security card, a Missouri driver’s license, a bank account, and housing.
He also received a stipend and tuition waiver from the university, valued at over $49,000.
However, after failing to attend classes or engage in research activities, Ojedeji was dismissed from the program in January 2024, leading to the termination of his student visa.
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Despite this, prosecutors say he went on to use the invalid visa to secure a state driver’s license on February 26, 2024.
The case came under investigation when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service received reports that victims of a romance fraud scheme were sending packages of cash and gift cards to the residence of Ojedeji’s partner.
Authorities tracked 35 Express Mail packages sent between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024, all linked to Nigerian IP addresses.
“A court-approved search of the home resulted in the discovery of packages sent pursuant to a Nigerian romance fraud scheme. A total of 193 packages were sent to the home through the Postal Services Express Mail, Federal Express, and United Parcel Service during Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman,” the statement reads.
Seventeen of those seized packages contained $94,150 in cash and gift cards. Prosecutors estimate the total intended loss to be over $1 million.
Although Ojedeji pleaded guilty to immigration and wire fraud offenses, he has denied involvement in the romance scam.
He is scheduled for sentencing on July 10.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the immigration fraud charge could result in up to 10 years and an additional fine of $250,000.
The final determination of losses and penalties will be made by the judge at sentencing.