Shortly after enrolment, Ojedeji reportedly stopped attending classes, failed to fulfil his assistantship duties, and did not join any research group actions which led to his expulsion from the university in February 2024
By Afolabi Ayodele
A 24-year-old Nigerian, Mercy Ojedeji, has been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for allegedly forging academic credentials to gain admission into the University of Missouri in St. Louis County, United States.
Ojedeji is accused of falsifying transcripts, a résumé, letters of recommendation, and an English proficiency report to secure a place in the university’s PhD Chemistry programme for the Fall 2023 session.
The fraudulent admission enabled him to obtain a tuition waiver worth $49,000, in addition to stipends and other academic benefits.
However, shortly after enrolment, Ojedeji reportedly stopped attending classes, failed to fulfil his assistantship duties, and did not join any research group — actions which led to his expulsion from the university in February 2024.
His student visa was also revoked.
The FBI began investigating Ojedeji following multiple complaints from romance scam victims.
The trail led agents to his girlfriend’s residence, which had been used to receive cash and gift cards from scam victims.
Between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024, the FBI tracked 35 Express Mail packages sent to the address.
A statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Thursday disclosed that a search warrant was obtained, and agents discovered “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.”
Ojedeji pleaded guilty to wire fraud and the use of forged immigration documents at the U.S. District Court in St. Louis.
U.S. prosecutors argued that the scheme was designed to defraud victims of over $1 million.
He now faces up to 20 years in prison.
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