05/06/2025
Sapphire Egemasi, a Nigerian software programmer dubbed the "Tech Queen," faces up to 20 years in a U.S. federal prison following her arrest by the FBI on April 10, 2025, in the Bronx, New York. She is accused of playing a central role in a transnational cybercrime syndicate, allegedly led by Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei, that defrauded U.S. government agencies of millions between September 2021 and February 2023. A 2024 federal grand jury indictment charged Egemasi and her co-conspirators with internet fraud and money laundering.
Egemasi reportedly used her programming expertise to create fake websites mimicking U.S. government portals, tricking employees into revealing login credentials. These credentials enabled the syndicate to siphon funds, including $965,000 from the city of Kentucky to a PNC Bank account and $330,000 to a Bank of America account in August 2022. She also allegedly facilitated money laundering by moving stolen funds through various bank accounts to obscure their origins.
Before her arrest, Egemasi cultivated a glamorous online persona, particularly on LinkedIn and Instagram, portraying herself as a successful tech entrepreneur. She claimed internships at major companies like British Petroleum, H&M, and Zaraโassertions unsupported by evidence, according to investigators. Her social media showcased a luxurious lifestyle, with posts of designer fashion, high-end gadgets, and trips to destinations like Greece, Portugal, and France, all allegedly funded by illicit proceeds. This persona earned her admiration among aspiring African tech professionals, who saw her as a role model.
Egemasi, believed to have resided in Cambridge, UK, and previously in Ghana, where she reportedly met her co-conspirators, is currently in federal custody in Lexington, Kentucky, awaiting trial. If convicted, she and her co-defendants, including other Ghanaian nationals, face up to 20 years in prison, significant fines, and potential deportation. The case underscores the sophistication of international cybercrime networks and the challenges of combating them, while sparking discussions about performative wealth and online deception. Federal prosecutors indicate the investigation is ongoing, with more indictments possible.