Nigerian software programmer and self-proclaimed "Tech Queen" Sapphire Egemasi is facing up to 20 years in a US federal prison following her arrest by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with a sophisticated transnational cyber fraud operation.
Egemasi was apprehended on April 10, 2025, in the Bronx, New York, based on a federal indictment filed in 2024. The charges against her include internet fraud and money laundering activities allegedly conducted between September 2021 and February 2023.
Sophisticated Cyber Operation
According to court documents, Egemasi played a critical role in a cybercrime network allegedly led by Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei. The group targeted municipal institutions across the United States, including the city government of Kentucky, using elaborate phishing campaigns and spoofed websites to steal employee credentials and redirect public funds into fraudulent bank accounts.
Investigators allege that Egemasi utilized her programming expertise to create convincing fake websites that mimicked legitimate US government agency portals. These fraudulent sites tricked employees into entering their secure login details, which the syndicate then used to infiltrate official systems and divert substantial sums of money.
Millions in Stolen Funds
Court filings detail how the syndicate successfully redirected $965,000 from the city of Kentucky into a PNC Bank account under their control in August 2022. In another fraudulent transaction, $330,000 was moved into a Bank of America account, with all transfers disguised as legitimate payments to evade detection.
The FBI also alleges that Egemasi assisted in laundering the stolen funds through a network of domestic and international bank accounts to obscure the money trail. She reportedly claimed false professional associations with multinational companies including BP, H&M, and Zara in attempts to legitimize her unexplained wealth and enhance her online reputation.
Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Crime
Prior to her arrest, Egemasi was known for displaying a lavish lifestyle on social media, showcasing designer outfits, high-end gadgets, and travels to luxury destinations including Greece, Portugal, and France. Her digital persona portrayed her as a successful tech entrepreneur, earning admiration from young Africans aspiring to enter the tech industry.
US federal authorities, however, claim her opulent lifestyle was financed through cybercrime proceeds. They believe she previously lived in Cambridge, UK, and spent time in Ghana, where she allegedly met her co-conspirators and began her role as the syndicate's lead technical operator.
Legal Consequences
Egemasi is currently in federal custody alongside her Ghanaian co-defendants, awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison, substantial financial penalties, and potential deportation after serving her sentence.
Federal prosecutors have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with additional indictments expected as authorities work to dismantle the wider cybercrime network.
