Sapphire Egemasi, a 28-year-old Nigerian software developer once known for showcasing a life of affluence and global travel, is currently in federal custody in the United States, facing charges connected to a wide-reaching internet fraud and money laundering scheme. U.S. prosecutors allege that she was part of a syndicate that defrauded several American government institutions of millions of dollars.

Egemasi was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in April 2025 in the Bronx, New York. Her arrest followed a federal grand jury indictment issued in 2024, which accused her and multiple co-conspirators, led by Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei, of conducting a coordinated cyber operation that targeted U.S. city governments through phishing attacks and spoofed websites.

According to Peoples Gazette, Court filings reveal that between September 2021 and February 2023, the syndicate designed and deployed fake websites mimicking official domains of American government agencies. The goal was to deceive municipal employees into entering secure login credentials, which were then used to divert funds into fraudulent accounts controlled by the group.

Egemasi’s alleged role in the scheme was central to its technical execution. Investigators claim she developed the spoofed websites used in the phishing operations and also helped route stolen funds through a series of wire transfers across various banks.

In one instance, prosecutors say the group successfully diverted $965,000 from the government of Kentucky into an account with PNC Bank. In another case, $330,000 was moved into a Bank of America account. Authorities described the transfers as highly sophisticated, masked with false documentation to resemble legitimate government disbursements.

According to investigators, Egemasi had lived in Cambridge, United Kingdom, before her arrest and had spent time in Ghana, where she is believed to have first connected with the other members of the fraud ring. She was allegedly recruited for her software programming skills and soon became the syndicate’s primary tech specialist.

To conceal the source of her income, Egemasi publicly claimed on social media that she had interned at firms such as British Petroleum, H\&M, and Zara—assertions that U.S. prosecutors say are not supported by any employment records. On platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram, she maintained the image of a young African woman thriving in tech. Her posts frequently featured designer fashion, luxury gadgets, and travel across countries, including France, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates.

Federal authorities contend that the lifestyle she advertised online was financed by proceeds of fraud. They argue that her public persona was carefully curated to deflect suspicion while she remained actively involved in the illegal operation.

Egemasi and her co-defendants are now awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison, financial restitution, and potential deportation after serving her sentence.

The case is part of a broader crackdown by U.S. federal agencies on transnational cybercrime, especially fraud schemes that exploit public institutions. While the investigation remains ongoing, prosecutors have indicated that more individuals connected to the case may face charges.