By Chris Johnson

A Nigerian software programmer and self-styled “Tech Queen”, Sapphire Egemasi, is facing up to 20 years in a U.S. federal prison after her arrest by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with a high-level transnational cyber fraud ring that reportedly siphoned millions from government institutions across the United States.

According to court documents, Egemasi allegedly played a critical role in a sophisticated cybercrime network allegedly led by Ghanaian national, Samuel Kwadwo Osei.

The group reportedly targeted municipal institutions across the U.S., including the city government of Kentucky, using phishing campaigns and spoofed websites to steal employee credentials and reroute public funds into fraudulent bank accounts.

The tech queen’s primary role was to use her programming expertise to create highly convincing fake websites mimicking legitimate portals of U.S. government agencies.

These fake sites deceived employees into entering their secure login details, which the syndicate later used to infiltrate official systems and divert large sums of money.

One court filing detailed how the syndicate successfully redirected $965,000 from the city of Kentucky into a PNC Bank account under their control in August 2022.

Another fraudulent transaction saw $330,000 moved into a Bank of America account, all masked to appear as legitimate payments, making detection more difficult.

Investigators also allege that Egemasi helped launder the stolen funds, using a network of domestic and international bank accounts to obscure the trail.

She reportedly claimed false professional ties to multinational companies such as BP, H&M, and Zara in an attempt to legitimize her unexplained wealth and bolster her online reputation.

Before her arrest, she was known for flaunting a lavish lifestyle on social media, showcasing designer outfits, high-end gadgets, and travel to luxury destinations such as Greece, Portugal, and France.

“Tech Queen”, Sapphire Egemasi

Her digital persona positioned her as a successful tech entrepreneur, earning her admiration from young Africans aspiring to enter the tech industry.

However, U.S. federal authorities say her opulent lifestyle was financed through cybercrime proceeds. They believe she previously resided in Cambridge, UK, and spent time in Ghana, where she allegedly met her co-conspirators and began her role as the syndicate’s lead technical operator.

Egemasi is currently in federal custody, alongside her Ghanaian co-defendants, awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky.

If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison, hefty financial penalties, and potential deportation after serving her sentence.

Federal prosecutors say the investigation is ongoing, with more indictments expected as authorities work to dismantle the wider cybercrime network