Nigerian Programmer Sapphire Egemasi Busted in Massive US Government Scam

A Nigerian programmer, Sapphire Egemasi, popularly known in tech circles as the “tech queen,” has been arrested by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with a sweeping fraud operation that defrauded U.S. government agencies of millions of dollars.

Egemasi was picked up by federal agents around April 10, 2025, in the Bronx, New York, alongside other suspects, including Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei, who authorities say led the syndicate.

The arrests follow a grand jury indictment filed in 2024, which charged the group with multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering tied to crimes that spanned from September 2021 to February 2023.

Investigators allege that Egemasi, a programmer with an active Devpost profile, played a central role in the cyber scheme. She was reportedly responsible for designing fake websites that mimicked official U.S. government portals, allowing the group to steal login credentials and funnel public funds into accounts they controlled.

Court documents reveal that the group targeted the city of Kentucky, among other victims. In one instance, the syndicate allegedly redirected $965,000 into a PNC Bank account. In another, $330,000 was funneled into a Bank of America account—both transactions traced back to Egemasi’s digital operations.

Before her arrest, Egemasi was believed to be based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, though U.S. authorities say she also spent time in Ghana, where her alleged ties to Osei and other co-conspirators were formed.

Far from keeping a low profile, Egemasi reportedly maintained an elaborate online persona, claiming to have interned at multinational companies like British Petroleum, Zara, and H&M. She often showcased a lavish lifestyle on social media—posing in luxury settings across Europe, including Greece and Portugal—photos prosecutors now say were funded with stolen money.

“She assumed a polished, corporate image, even as she allegedly masterminded digital fraud,” a source close to the investigation told reporters.

The accused are currently being held in federal custody in Lexington, Kentucky, where they await trial. If convicted, each could face up to 20 years in prison, hefty fines, and deportation after serving their sentences.

The FBI says the investigation remains ongoing, with additional charges or arrests not ruled out.

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