FBI nabs fraudster Mercy Ojedeji for forging academic records to gain U.S. university admission
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has nabbed Mercy Ojedeji, a Nigerian who forged academic transcripts to secure admission into the University of Missouri in St Louis County and obtain a tuition waiver of $49,000, stipends and other benefits.
Investigations showed that Mr Ojedeji, 24, forged his transcripts, resume, letters of recommendation and an English Language proficiency report to strengthen his application for a PhD programme in Chemistry.
After getting the admission in Fall 2023 and opening a bank account with the fraudulently-obtained credentials, Mr Ojedeji began to skip classes. He also failed to take up his assistantship duties or even join a research group, inaction that eventually led to his expulsion from the school in February 2024 and the revocation of his student visa.
Mr Ojedeji first got on the FBI radar after a deluge of complaints from romance scam victims led the agents to his girlfriend’s house which was an address used to receive cash and gift cards.
FBI agents tracked 35 Express Mail packages sent to the address within two weeks, specifically between December 19, 2023 and January 4, 2024.
Court issued a search warrant for the residence, and agents discovered that “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,” a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office said on Thursday.
Mr Ojedeji pleaded guilty to using forged immigration documents and wire fraud in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis as U.S. prosecutors argued that his intended scam exceeded $1 million.
The Nigerian national faces a 20-year prison sentence.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says
“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.
Heading 1
U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth
“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.
Lagos
Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears
Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.
Africa
144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR
“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.
World
U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua
Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.
World
Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister
Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.
