From Tech Queen to Cyber Queenpin: Nigerian Coder Nabbed by FBI Faces 20 Years in U.S. Prison

Sapphire Egemasi, a Nigerian software programmer who branded herself online as a ‘tech queen’, is facing up to 20 years in a U.S. federal prison following her arrest by the FBI in connection with a multimillion-dollar cyber fraud scheme targeting government institutions. Egemasi was arrested in the Bronx, New York, around April 10, 2025, after a 2024 federal grand jury indictment charged her and several co-conspirators with internet fraud and money laundering.

According to court documents, Egemasi played a central role in a transnational cybercrime ring allegedly led by Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei. The group is accused of defrauding various U.S. municipal agencies between September 2021 and February 2023 through phishing schemes and spoofed websites designed to steal login credentials and divert public funds.

Egemasi, who previously resided in Cambridge, United Kingdom, used her programming skills to create fake websites that mimicked legitimate U.S. government portals. These fraudulent platforms deceived government employees into revealing secure login information, which the syndicate then exploited to siphon money into fraudulent bank accounts. In one instance, the group allegedly rerouted $965,000 from the city of Kentucky to a PNC Bank account. Another operation saw $330,000 transferred to a Bank of America account under similarly deceptive pretenses.

Investigators say Egemasi was also responsible for laundering the stolen funds, using wire transfers to move money through various financial institutions while disguising its illicit origins. She is believed to have met her co-conspirators while in Ghana, before becoming the group’s technical lead from abroad.

To legitimize her wealth, Egemasi falsely claimed internships with multinational corporations including British Petroleum, H&M, and Zara—none of which were supported by any evidence. On social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, she curated an image of success, frequently posting about luxury travel, high-end fashion, and tech-related ventures. Her lifestyle attracted a significant following, particularly among aspiring African tech professionals who viewed her as a digital trailblazer.

However, authorities say this image was a façade, built on proceeds from cybercrime. The FBI’s investigation has uncovered a sharp disconnect between her online persona and the alleged criminal enterprise funding her lifestyle. Egemasi and her co-defendants, including other Ghanaian nationals, are currently in federal custody and awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in prison, hefty fines, and possible deportation.