FBI Arrests Nigerian Tech Enthusiast Sapphire Egemasi Over Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nigerian tech entrepreneur Sapphire Egemasi in connection with a large-scale fraud operation that allegedly defrauded U.S. government agencies of millions of dollars.

Egemasi, who is known for her presence on developer platforms such as Devpost, was apprehended in April 2025 in the Bronx, New York. Her arrest was part of a broader crackdown that also led to the capture of other suspects, including Samuel Kwadwo Osei identified by investigators as the ringleader of the syndicate.

According to a federal grand jury indictment filed in 2024, the group faces multiple counts of internet fraud and money laundering tied to criminal activities carried out between September 2021 and February 2023.

The indictment details how the syndicate targeted the City of Kentucky, siphoning off millions through a combination of spoofed government websites and credential theft. Egemasi allegedly played a key role in designing these fraudulent sites, which mimicked official U.S. government domains to trick users into revealing login credentials.

Digital forensic evidence, including text messages obtained by investigators, revealed that the group successfully redirected $965,000 into a PNC Bank account in August 2022. In a separate transaction that same month, $330,000 was transferred to a Bank of America account.

Mensah noted that some victims had been held for up to five years. He said the trafficking network was coordinated by "chairmen" in Nigeria, with local agents managing operations in Ghana. Investigations are also ongoing against the estate’s owner for allegedly aiding the syndicate.

All defendants, including Egemasi, are currently in federal custody awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison, heavy financial penalties, and possible deportation after serving their sentences.