A 24-year-old Nigerian Man, Mercy Oyedeji, has been arraigned before a court of law in the United States (US), where he pleaded guilty to fraudulently securing a student visa to gain admission into a US university, and received some benefits including a 49 thousand dollar stipend.
A statement released by the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri on Thursday revealed that the plea was entered in a US District Court in St. Louis, Missouri.
Oyedeji, who secured admission into the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program in Fall 2023 through fraud, admitted to using falsified academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a fake resume, and a fabricated English language proficiency report to obtain the visa.
While exploiting the Visa’s advantage, he obtained a Social Security card, a Missouri driver’s license, a bank account, and housing as well as receiving a stipend and tuition fee from the university valued at over $49,000.
Moreover, Oyedeji lost his studentship and was dismissed from the graduate program in January 2024 after failing to attend classes or participate in research activities, this also resulted in the termination of his visa.
Prosecutors acknowledged that he still used the invalid visa to obtain a state driver’s license in February, 2024.
According to the statement, The investigation began when some packages linked to a Nigerian romance fraud scheme were discovered to be sent to the home of Oyedeji’s partner through a U.S Postal Service, Federal Express, and United Parcel.
“A court-approved search of the home resulted in the discovery of packages sent pursuant to a Nigerian romance fraud scheme.
“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,” the statement reads.
Reports revealed that Seventeen of the seized packages contained 94 thousand dollars in cash and gift cards, while prosecutors estimated the total intended loss at over 1 million dollars.
Meanwhile, Oyedeji, despite his guilty plea to immigration and wire fraud charges, denied involvement in the romance scam.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a 250 thousand dollar fine, while the immigration fraud charge could add up to 10 more years and a similar fine.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 10, meanwhile, the judge will make the final determination of losses and penalties during sentencing.
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