Sapphire Egemasi, a Nigerian technology enthusiast, may be facing a prison term exceeding 20 years in the United States after being taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) due to her alleged involvement in a widespread fraud operation that targeted several government agencies

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igerian technology enthusiast, Sapphire Egemasi, may face a prison term exceeding 20 years in the United States after being arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for her alleged role in a widespread fraud operation.

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The sophisticated scheme reportedly targeted several US government agencies, including the city of Kentucky.

Egemasi, a programmer known online as ‘tech queen’ and for her Devpost profile, was apprehended around April 10, 2025, in the Bronx, New York. Her arrest was part of a coordinated effort that also saw the custody of other individuals, including Samuel Kwadwo Osei, who is believed to have been the ringleader of the syndicate.

Their arrests stem from a federal grand jury indictment issued in 2024, which accuses them of various internet fraud and money laundering offenses.

These crimes were allegedly committed between September 2021 and February 2023.

Investigators allege that Egemasi and her Ghanaian associates orchestrated a plot to defraud the city of Kentucky of several million dollars.

Her specific role in the intricate scheme reportedly involved creating fake websites designed to mimic legitimate US government domains.

These fraudulent sites were used to capture login information from unsuspecting victims and subsequently redirect stolen funds into accounts controlled by the syndicate.

Investigators say her part in the scheme involved creating fake websites that mimicked US government domains in order to capture login information and redirect stolen funds.

Reports indicate that prior to her arrest, Egemasi had resided in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Authorities also suspect she lived in Ghana at one point, where it is believed she connected with other members of the criminal group.

She is suspected of leading the group’s technical operations, overseeing the development of these deceptive websites and coordinating the wire transfers of stolen funds to accounts under the syndicate’s control.

Evidence from text messages suggests that in August 2022, the group successfully diverted $965,000, stolen from Kentucky, into a PNC Bank account.

In another transaction during the same period, an additional $330,000 was moved into a Bank of America account.

To explain her substantial financial resources, Egemasi reportedly claimed previous work experience, primarily internships, at several large multinational firms including British Petroleum, H&M, and Zara.

Widely recognized online as ‘tech queen’, Egemasi carefully cultivated a refined public image, particularly on LinkedIn, where she showcased her professional abilities and “flaunted a luxurious lifestyle.”

Her social media posts frequently displayed images of extravagant trips to destinations such as Greece and Portugal, which prosecutors now allege were funded through illegal means.

Egemasi and her co-defendants are currently held in federal detention and are awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky.

Also read: FBI seeks EFCC help to capture Nigerian fugitives over $13m Healthcare Fraud

If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, substantial financial fines, and deportation to their respective countries of origin upon completion of their sentences.