Sapphire Egemasi, a Nigerian software developer known for showcasing a life of affluence and global travel on social media, has been accused of participating in a wide-reaching internet fraud and money laundering scheme. According to US prosecutors, Egemasi was part of a syndicate led by Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei that defrauded several American government institutions of millions of dollars.
The scheme involved phishing attacks and spoofed websites designed to mimic official domains of American government agencies. The group allegedly deceived 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, with investigators claiming she developed the spoofed websites used in the phishing operations and helped route stolen funds through various banks.
In one instance, the group successfully diverted $965,000 from the government of Kentucky into a PNC Bank account, and 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.
Egemasi's lavish lifestyle, showcased on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, has raised suspicions. Federal authorities contend that her public persona was carefully curated to deflect suspicion while she remained actively involved in the illegal operation. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison, financial restitution, and potential deportation after serving her sentence.
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