A 24-year-old man from St. Louis County has pleaded guilty to using fraudulent documents to obtain a student visa, enroll in the University of Missouri, and secure several government-issued IDs, including a Social Security card, driver’s license, and bank account. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced the plea on Thursday.
Mercy Ojedeji admitted to charges of unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents and wire fraud. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ojedeji submitted counterfeit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a falsified resume, and an altered English proficiency report to gain admission into the university’s chemistry PhD program in fall 2023. He was awarded a stipend and tuition waiver worth more than $49,000.
Once accepted, Ojedeji used his student visa to fraudulently obtain a Social Security card, open a bank account, and even secure an apartment, with help from documents created by his romantic partner. However, after failing to attend classes or participate in any research activities, Ojedeji was dismissed from the university in January 2024, which led to the termination of his visa.
In February 2024, Ojedeji used his invalid visa to obtain a Missouri driver’s license. The investigation into Ojedeji’s activities was prompted when U.S. Postal Inspectors received reports of victims of a romance fraud scheme mailing cash and gift cards to an address linked to Ojedeji’s partner. Authorities later uncovered over 190 packages connected to the fraud operation, many originating from Nigerian IP addresses, with an estimated loss of over $1 million.
While Ojedeji denies any involvement in the romance fraud scheme, his role in the fraudulent immigration and financial documents has led to serious charges. He faces sentencing on July 10.
The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding fraudulent activities in both immigration and financial systems, emphasizing the risks of using fake documents for personal gain.
