$3.9M Fraud Scheme: How popular Nigerian influencer, three Ghanaians played their roles

Fresh details have emerged following the arrest of popular Nigerian influencer Sapphire Egemasi by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over her alleged involvement in a $3.9 million internet fraud and money laundering scheme.

One would recall that on Thursday, 5 June 2025, news broke out that Sapphire Egemasi was picked up by the FBI for her involvement in a multi-million dollar internet fraud and money laundering scheme.

According to reports, Sapphire was reportedly arrested in New York together with a Ghanaian, named Samuel Kwadwo Osei, who is believed to be part of the alleged fraud operation.

Subsequently, new details have emerged from the FBI, indicating that three other individuals, Nana Kwabena Amuah, Shimea McDonald, and Garcia were also masterminds behind the scam activity.

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In an FBI document sighted by GhanaWeb, Nana Kwabena Amuah is the leader of the alleged fraud operation.

In the document, Nana Kwabena Amuah in 2021, worked with Shimea McDonald to open bank accounts for receiving money from a variety of frauds.

“In 2021, Amuah was directing a co-defendant, Shimea McDonald, to open bank accounts for receiving money from a variety of fraud victims. Amuah helped facilitate McDonald’s getting fake identity documentation, based on fake identity information she obtained from real people,” the document reads.

McDonald, who was also arrested for money laundering and fraud activities, was said to have used the fake identities gathered from Nana Amuah to open shell companies which she then used to set up an account at Truist Bank.

“McDonald also set up shell companies, which she then used to set up bank accounts with fake identities. Once money entered into these accounts, Amuah notified McDonald of the payments and directed her to wire or otherwise bring him the stolen funds,” the document read.

Another individual named Garcia also appeared in the FBI’s list of suspects linked to the money laundering scheme.

According to the FBI document, between February 2022 and February 2023, Garcia collaborated with Nana Kwabena Amuah and Shimea McDonald to obtain fake identity documents.

He went on to establish shell companies across various U.S. states and opened bank accounts using the names of real individuals to receive fraudulently acquired funds.

“From February 2022 to February 2023, Garcia worked with his co-operators, Nana Kwabena Amuah and Shimea McDonald, to commit money laundering. Garcia also worked for Amuah to procure fake identity documents and receive funds that Amuah directed the accounts.

“Once the money was received in those accounts, Amuah would notify Garcia to wire or bring him the money or check to the co-conspirators who facilitated further transfers or initiated the underlying scheme to defraud the victims.” the document added.

Also, per the FBI document, their first fraud transfer was $3.9 million.

Arrest and legal woes

After his arrest, Nana Kwabena Amuah pleaded guilty to all charges in 2021 and was sentenced in 2023 to 86 months in prison, along with a restitution order of $4 million.

Shimea McDonald also earlier received a sentence of 80 months in prison, also with a $4 million restitution order. Garcia was sentenced to 72 months in prison, with a restitution amount of $4.6 million.

It was after the arrest of these individuals that Sapphire Egemasi’s name popped up in the recent batch of fraudulent activities with one Samuel Kwadwo Osei.
Per the FBI report, Samuel Kwadwo Osei popularly known as Tuga has also been declared wanted by the Kentucky Police Service.

It was after this arrest, that the FBI discovered that two other Ghanaians, Derrick Nii Ashitey, and Fred Brobbey Awuah (Kaki), were involved.

“Since 2021, Awuah has been involved member of the conspiracy, including McDonald, Samuel Kwadwo Osei, Fred Brobbey Awuah, and others to open bank accounts and conduct financial transactions involving funds stolen from the targeted entities often via messages sent over Telegram and WhatsApp,” the statement added.

The document detailed that Sapphire and Co. received an amount of $330,000 and $960,000 in the name of a company they operated from which is Lasko Company LLC in August 2022.

Sapphire’s role in the whole fraud activities according to the FBI was that she registered domains that could be used to mimic the real domains.

“To impersonate the vendor, members of the conspiracy including Sapphire registered domains that could be used to spoof or mimic domains belonging to the real vendor or targeted entities,” the document detailed.

Source: Ghanaweb.com