26-Year-Old Nigerian Man Sentenced to 41 Months in U.S. Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Student Visa, University Admission, and $49K Stipend

A 26-year-old Nigerian national, Mercy Ojedeji, has been sentenced to 41 months in a U.S. prison for fraudulently obtaining a student visa, admission to the University of Missouri, and a $49,000 university stipend. Ojedeji also acquired a Social Security card, driver’s license, bank account, and apartment using falsified documents.

The sentence was handed down on December 1, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey. According to the Department of Justice, Ojedeji participated in money mule operations with Shirley Waller, who is serving a 93-month prison sentence for aiding online scammers and committing pandemic and mortgage fraud. Authorities said the two used a fraudulently opened bank account to transfer proceeds from Waller’s criminal activities to Nigeria.

Investigators found 193 packages sent to the residence shared by Ojedeji and Waller. Of these, 17 packages containing $94,150 were seized by law enforcement, with officials estimating the intended losses from their activities exceeded $1 million. Victims of the scams described severe financial and personal hardships, including one who lost $47,000 and another whose water service was cut off for a month after sending money to the scammers.

Ojedeji pleaded guilty in April to unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents and wire fraud. Court documents revealed that he used counterfeit academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a resume, and an English proficiency report 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 totaling over $49,000.

Using the fraudulent visa and supporting documents, Ojedeji obtained a Social Security card, which he used to open a bank account and rent an apartment with Waller. After failing to attend classes, fulfill his assistantship, or join a research group, the university terminated him from the program in January 2024, which also invalidated his student visa. In February 2024, he used the invalid visa and documents to obtain a Missouri driver’s license, which was then used to transfer funds from Waller’s money mule activities.

Ruth Mendonça, Inspector in Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said, “Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who use the U.S. Mail to enrich themselves and seek justice for victims, including the most vulnerable.”

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the FBI and the Town and Country Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry.