The FBI has arrested 24-year-old Nigerian national Mercy Ojedeji for a fraud scheme involving forged academic documents, romance scams, and immigration violations.
She allegedly used fake credentials to gain admission into a PhD program in the U.S., with the intent to defraud victims of over $1 million.
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,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a statement released Thursday, April 10.
Authorities revealed that Mercy Ojedeji opened a bank account using forged documents but later stopped attending classes, failed to meet assistantship duties, and joined no research group, leading to his expulsion in February 2024 and revocation of his student visa. The FBI began investigating him after receiving multiple romance scam complaints.
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.
Sentencing is scheduled to take place in the coming months.
