Sapphire Egemasi, known online as the “Tech Queen,” has quickly gone from social media admiration to international scrutiny following her arrest by U.S. authorities in connection with a multimillion-dollar cyber fraud operation targeting American government agencies.
So, who is Sapphire Egemasi aka ‘Tech Queen?
Early Life and Public Image
Sapphire Egemasi, believed to be in her early 30s, is a Nigerian national who rose to regional prominence through her online brand built around women in tech, digital entrepreneurship, and web development.
She branded herself as a self-taught software developer and cybersecurity expert, often appearing in tech panels, seminars, and mentorship forums, particularly aimed at empowering African women in STEM fields.
She gained attention on platforms like Instagram, Twitter (now X), and LinkedIn, where she posted about coding, startup culture, and personal success stories in the tech industry. Her online handle, often including the phrase “@TechQueenSapphire”, became a recognizable tag in some African tech circles.
She also claimed to run a small digital agency focused on website development and fintech consulting.
However, much of her professional background remains unverifiable, with no known affiliations to registered or accredited academic institutions or tech firms.
The Allegations
In June 2025, Sapphire Egemasi was arrested in the U.S. alongside Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei. According to a federal indictment unsealed in Kentucky, the pair led a highly coordinated cybercrime ring between September 2021 and February 2023.
Authorities allege the group created fake websites that mirrored those of legitimate U.S. government agencies. These spoofed platforms were reportedly used to harvest login credentials from public officials, allowing the conspirators to access and redirect federal funds.
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Justice have named Mr. Osei as the ringleader, while Egemasi is believed to have handled the technical architecture of the operation, building and managing the spoof sites and data pipelines.
If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison followed by deportation.
Public Reaction
The revelation shocked many of Egemasi’s followers. Online, she was seen as a symbol of youth innovation and digital empowerment in Africa.
Some followers expressed disbelief, while others pointed to prior signs of embellishment and unverifiable claims in her tech credentials.
Cybersecurity experts say the case reflects a broader trend where individuals use digital branding to mask fraudulent activity — capitalizing on the trust built through social media presence.
Sapphire Egemasi’s case is a striking example of how online image can be leveraged for both influence and deception. Once hailed as a rising figure in African tech, she now faces the possibility of two decades in U.S. federal prison for her alleged role in a fraud operation that may have stolen millions from American taxpayers.
As the trial progresses, more details are expected to emerge that will offer a clearer picture of who the so-called “Tech Queen” really is — and how far her network extended.
