Sapphire Egemasi, a Nigerian programmer known as the “Tech Queen,” has been arrested by the FBI for her alleged role in a multimillion-dollar cyber fraud scheme targeting U.S. government agencies.
The 28-year-old (known as @thatsapphiree on Instagram), once a drummer at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Nigeria, now faces up to 20 years in a U.S. federal prison if convicted.
Egemasi was apprehended on April 10, 2025, in the Bronx, New York, alongside Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei and other co-conspirators.
According to court documents, the syndicate defrauded the city of Kentucky of $1.3 million between 2021 and 2023 by creating fake websites mimicking U.S. government portals to steal login credentials and redirect funds. Egemasi, the group’s tech lead, allegedly designed these deceptive sites.
Her polished online persona as a tech entrepreneur, complete with claims of internships at companies like BP and Zara, masked her alleged criminal activities.
Social media posts flaunting luxury trips to Greece and Portugal were reportedly funded by illicit gains. Now in custody in Lexington, Kentucky, Egemasi awaits trial, facing hefty fines and possible deportation.
The case has sparked debate in Nigeria, with some, like X user @felixbuezecyrus, questioning RCCG’s influence, claiming it fosters “scammers” in politics and fraud.
Others defend the church, arguing Egemasi’s actions are individual.
