ST. LOUIS – A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to fraudulently obtaining a student visa, using it to get a Social Security card and collect $49,000 in benefits in Missouri.

Mercy Ojedeji, 24, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents and one count of wire fraud.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that Ojedeji was living in St. Louis County and attending a University of Missouri system college.

As part of his plea agreement, Ojedeji admitted to using fake academic documents, including transcripts and recommendations, to obtain a student visa and admission to the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program in fall 2023. He also received a stipend and tuition waiver valued at more than $49,000.

Using the documents, Ojedeji obtained a Social Security card, opened a bank account and rented an apartment.

After he failed to attend classes or join a research group, the university terminated Ojedeji from the program in January 2024, which led to the cancellation of his student visa. In February 2024, however, he used his invalid visa and other fake documents to get a Missouri driver’s license.

Around that time, an investigation linked Ojedeji to complaints directed to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Authorities learned that cash and gift cards were being mailed to an individual identified as a paramour as part of a romance fraud scheme.

Between December 2023 and January 2024, officials learned that 35 Express Mail packages, which had been tracked by Nigerian IP addresses, were delivered to the paramour’s home. A search revealed 193 packages were sent during Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman, containing over $94,000 in cash and gift cards.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to defending the nation’s mail system from criminal activity, preserving the integrity of the U.S. Mail, and protecting United States Postal Service employees,” said Ruth M. Mendonca, Inspector in Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which includes the St. Louis Field Office. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service values our law enforcement partners for supporting our mission to protect the integrity of the U.S. Mail.”

Despite pleading guilty to student visa fraud charges, Ojedeji continues to deny any involvement in the romance fraud scheme.

Ojedeji is expected to be sentenced on July 10 and could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines, per the U.S. Department of Justice.