A Nigerian software developer who branded herself as a tech industry rising star is now facing up to 20 years in federal prison for her alleged role in a sprawling cybercrime operation that siphoned millions of dollars from U.S. government accounts.
Sapphire Egemasi, 28, widely known online as a self-proclaimed “tech queen,” was arrested by FBI agents in the Bronx in April 2025. According to court documents, she stands accused of designing fake U.S. government websites to phish for login credentials, which were then used to reroute public funds into accounts controlled by a transnational fraud ring.
Federal prosecutors allege that Egemasi played a central technical role in a complex scheme that ran from September 2021 through February 2023. She now faces charges of internet fraud and money laundering alongside other defendants, including alleged ringleader Samuel Kwadwo Osei, a Ghanaian national. All are currently in federal custody awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky.
The alleged scheme targeted municipal governments and federal agencies, exploiting vulnerabilities in their digital infrastructure. Investigators say Egemasi’s programming skills were instrumental in creating deceptive mirror websites that harvested sensitive login information from unsuspecting public employees.
Once those credentials were obtained, members of the syndicate allegedly used them to access financial systems and initiate unauthorized transfers. Notably, prosecutors cited two major thefts in 2022—one involving $965,000 and another totaling $330,000—both diverted from Kentucky state accounts into Bank of America and PNC Bank accounts under the group’s control.
Egemasi’s arrest followed a federal grand jury indictment filed in 2024, which charged her and multiple co-conspirators with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering in connection to the scheme.
A Carefully Constructed Persona
Before her arrest, Egemasi had cultivated a polished image online as a rising tech star. Based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and previously operating in Ghana, she frequently posted aspirational content to LinkedIn and Instagram, showcasing designer outfits, luxury travel across Europe, and what she claimed were internships at prestigious global firms, including BP, Zara, and H&M.
None of those corporate affiliations have been substantiated, federal agents confirmed.
“Sapphire Egemasi built an online brand designed to impress, mislead, and ultimately mask the source of her income,” a federal prosecutor stated. “Her Instagram was not only a marketing tool—it was part of the fraud.”
The FBI believes she met her co-conspirators while in Ghana and later assumed the role of the syndicate’s lead tech specialist, operating between West Africa, the UK, and the U.S.
Fraud Ring’s Reach and Impact
The scope of the fraud, prosecutors allege, reflects growing concerns about foreign-led cybercrimes that exploit gaps in U.S. government cybersecurity. Egemasi’s case marks a significant step in the Department of Justice’s efforts to crack down on such transnational threats.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky explained that the group deliberately targeted vulnerable systems and relied on false identities and shell companies to funnel stolen funds without triggering alarms.
“Cyberfraud of this magnitude not only drains taxpayer dollars,” said a federal spokesperson, “it erodes public trust in our institutions.”
In addition to potential prison sentences of up to 20 years, Egemasi and her co-defendants face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. Prosecutors have also signaled that deportation proceedings may follow any convictions.
Awaiting Trial in Kentucky
All suspects are being held in federal custody in Lexington, where trial proceedings are expected to begin later this year. The FBI confirmed ongoing investigations into other potential participants in the fraud ring, including overseas operatives suspected of laundering stolen funds through digital wallets and cryptocurrency platforms.
For now, the fall of Sapphire Egemasi serves as a cautionary tale—of how digital personas can deceive, and how federal agencies are working to reclaim trust and funding lost to increasingly sophisticated cyber schemes.