The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Mercy Ojedeji, a 24-year-old Nigerian national, for orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme involving forged academic documents, romance scams, and immigration violations.
Prosecutors allege that the scheme aimed to defraud victims of over $1 million.
Key Details:
- Academic Fraud: 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 2023. This fraudulent application secured him a full tuition waiver valued at $49,000, along with stipends and other academic benefits. However, he was expelled in February 2024 after failing to attend classes or fulfill assistantship duties, leading to the revocation of his student visa.
- Romance Scams: The investigation revealed that Ojedeji was involved in romance scams, using a residence linked to his girlfriend to receive proceeds, including cash and gift cards. Between December 2023 and January 2024, FBI agents tracked 193 packages delivered to the address.
- Charges and Guilty Plea: Ojedeji has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and using forged immigration documents. He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled in the coming months.