15/02/2020
Forwarded from Event planners whatapp group
Guys. Beware of this CON Artist, Sam who pretends to be an event planner and an all round events service provider. His real names are Samwel Odongo Ogola. His ID is 33917245. Mostly uses the number 0798353708. But of late, the number is on and off because he knows people he has conned are looking for him. But he can receive Salaamz through that number.
Also to add that he has other numbers like 0794767259, 0710811036, 0715326627.
I have exposed him on other groups just so no one else falls victim., but sadly..he is still conning people and I decided to post him here as B & B has a large following. But I am happy that the expose has also saved a few other people who almost got conned.
I think previously, no one really had the courage to name and shame him and this gave him muscles to keep conning people. Because when I was doing due diligence, I had looked up for his number on Facebook but couldn't find anything to give me suspicion. Additionally, the caterer I hired for my event had told me he knows Sam from an event they did together and apparently, he had done a good job on that event.
I agree, that due diligence is important when looking for an events service provider. But it is difficult to detect a service provider who has 2 faces: a)delivers services to some clients and even get referrals b) cons others who end up swallowing their loss and not speaking out. And we all know, that most service providers will want a certain deposit before they can commit to offer you services.
Sam has a registered deco company that he claims he is still setting up and a WhatsApp business number that he uses to con unsuspecting clients. And I would say, my biggest mistake was believing him when he took me to a company where he claimed he was a partner and authorised to receive payments and release items to customers and gave me a contract that had the company's name on it. He took me to all the store rooms as if he knew the place well. I do not have evidence to say he colludes with the employees there, I only remember the receptionist saying he has previously hired items from them. So, I really can't blame that company. He mostly targets churches, couples doing weddings and dowry functions. When you pay him the agreed deposits, he blocks you a few hours to your event. But prior to that, he will engage you and even visit the site ahead of the event. And after a few weeks, he will resurface, unblock you and begin ridiculing you.
When I exposed him on Brides on a budget, I got several responses from people he has conned, I have not managed to reach some for permission to share their stories.
Sam is also a thief. If he comes to your function, most likely than not, he will steal something. He has been reported to steal table napkins, duvet, plates , spandex , laptops etc..on functions that he attends. I also got to know that Sam has been arrested before but he somehow bribes his way out.
I had an event on 14/12/2019. I had sent him a deposit of 23k and he was to provide seats, tents and tables and source for a photographer & sound. At 4p.m, on 13/12/2019, someone called me and identified himself as Sam's customer who had paid a deposit of 20k to Sam for deco work. He told me he was unable to reach Sam, yet he was supposed to do the deco in their Church the same night at 7p.m. Sam had apparently given him my number, for accountability. I tried calling Sam but he was mteja. That's when it hit us, that we had been conned. I can't even begin to narrate how hectic it was to source for other service providers that night.
I tried reaching him through another service provider who happens to be his friend. Sam confessed that he conned me, and would refund the money...but that was just a story.
I reported the case through OB 24/17/12/2019.
Above all, my happiness will mostly come in knowing that someone else will not get conned by Sam as he has done to a number of people.
And one thing that I told him is.....no one ever gets true peace and rest by stealing. All those crimes, will haunt him forever. And he will.lose much more than what he has stolen from people.
