Nigerian national Sapphire Egemasi, widely known online as a ‘tech queen,’ is facing more than 20 years in prison following her arrest by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegedly defrauding several U.S. government agencies of millions of dollars.
Egemasi, a programmer with an active Devpost account, was apprehended around April 10, 2025, in the Bronx, New York.
Her arrest came alongside several alleged accomplices, including Samuel Kwadwo Osei, believed to be the leader of the operation.
The arrests stemmed from a federal grand jury indictment issued in 2024, which charged the group with internet fraud and money laundering.
The criminal activities are said to have taken place between September 2021 and February 2023.
According to court documents reviewed Egemasi and her Ghanaian co-defendants orchestrated a scheme that defrauded the city of Kentucky of millions. Egemasi’s specific role involved designing and registering fake websites that mimicked legitimate U.S. government portals to harvest login credentials from unsuspecting users.
Authorities also revealed that prior to her arrest, Egemasi had been residing in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is believed that she initially connected with her Ghanaian co-conspirators during her time living in West Africa, eventually becoming the syndicate’s primary tech expert. The group is accused of executing the fraud from both the United States and Nigeria.
Investigators found that Egemasi facilitated the transfer of stolen funds to accounts under the syndicate’s control.
Text message evidence showed that in August 2022, the group diverted $965,000 stolen from the city of Kentucky to a PNC Bank account.
During the same period, another $330,000 was allegedly funneled into a Bank of America account.
To mask the origins of her wealth, Egemasi reportedly claimed to have held various internship positions at multinational firms including British Petroleum, H&M, and Zara.
On social media, especially LinkedIn, Egemasi had cultivated a persona as a successful tech professional. She frequently showcased a lavish lifestyle, which prosecutors say was funded by illicit gains. Her social media content included photos of trips to destinations such as Greece, Portugal, and other high-end tourist locations.
Egemasi and her co-defendants are currently being held in custody in Lexington, Kentucky, where they await trial. Each of the accused faces up to 20 years in prison, substantial financial penalties, and possible deportation after serving their sentences.
