A Nigerian national has been sentenced to 41 months in prison after admitting to fraudulently obtaining a student visa, Social Security card, driver license, bank account, and apartment. The sentencing took place on Monday before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey in St. Louis.
Mercy Ojedeji, 26, used counterfeit academic documents to secure admission to the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program in fall 2023 and received a stipend and tuition waiver valued at over $49,000. Authorities say Ojedeji also participated in money mule activities with Shirley Waller, who is currently serving a 93-month sentence for aiding online scammers and committing pandemic and mortgage fraud.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ojedeji and Waller used a fraudulently opened bank account to transfer proceeds from Waller’s criminal activities to Nigeria. Law enforcement seized 17 packages containing $94,150 out of a total of 193 packages sent to their shared residence. Prosecutors argued that the intended loss from their activities exceeded $1 million.
Victims impacted by the scheme included individuals who lost significant sums of money after being deceived by false stories. One victim wrote to Judge Autrey about losing $47,000 after being tricked by someone posing as a widowed orthopedic surgeon working in Jordan: “It is a terrible shame there are such people existing to steal money from innocent victims such as myself.” Another victim had their water service cut off for a month due to non-payment after sending money to scammers.
Ojedeji pleaded guilty in April in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count each of unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents and wire fraud. He admitted using fake transcripts, recommendations, resume, and an English proficiency report for his visa application and university admission process.
After failing to attend classes or join a research group, Ojedeji was terminated from the graduate program in January 2024; this led to the termination of his student visa as well. Despite this, he later used his invalid visa and other fraudulent documents on February 26, 2024, to obtain a Missouri driver license that was subsequently used for opening another bank account linked with Waller’s money mule operations.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who utilize the U.S. Mail to perpetuate financial schemes to defraud others in order to enrich themselves. Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims, including those most vulnerable,” said Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonça of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with support from the FBI and Town and Country Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry prosecuted the case.
