The “Sheraton Reels” Scam: How Creatives Are Being Targeted in 2025
- Pauline Kire
- Oct 17, 2025
- 5 min read
We’re already halfway through the Cybersecurity Awareness Month — and trust me, the plot has thickened!
While everyone else is out here posting cyber tips and password reminders, TheCyberMamushka does it differently. We tell stories. Real, funny, sometimes painful stories that hit home — because cyber safety isn’t just a campaign; it’s our daily survival. It’s the mukyala neighbor at the kiosk, the boda boda guy with a smartphone, the auntie forwarding WhatsApp messages, and yes — the creatives chasing their next gig with hope and hustle.
And this October, the bafele have refused to rest. They’ve diversified their hustle, opened new branches, and are now targeting the very people who make the internet beautiful. So settle in — because today’s awareness story is a special one for my creative family.
If there’s one thing you can always count on in this life — it’s that bafele don’t run out of ideas. Every year they diversify their portfolio like seasoned entrepreneurs. One day they’re pretending to be bank agents, the next day telecom officials, and now they’ve moved into the creative industry. Honestly, if deception was a degree, half of them would be professors by now.
This season’s favourite trick? A performance so convincing it deserves an Oscar: The “Sheraton Reels” Scam.
They’ve studied the times. They know digital content is booming. They know every photographer and videographer is hustling to grow their brand, chase exposure, and finally get that client who pays more than “you’ll get visibility.” So, they adapt — changing tone, language, and even accents. These aren’t your “Dear Sir/Madam” amateurs from the early 2000s. Oh no. These ones use WhatsApp profile pictures, foreign numbers, polite greetings, and even real company names.
The Diversified Hustle: From Telecom Calls to Fake Clients
Before we dive into the creative trap, let’s talk about their other departments. You’ve probably received those telecom-style vishing calls lately — a “customer care agent” telling you your SIM registration is incomplete or your mobile-money line will be suspended in the next 30 minutes. The voice sounds official, the tone serious, and the panic immediate. Before you can even finish saying “hello?”, they’re asking you to dial strange codes or “confirm” your PIN.
And here’s the funny-but-sad part — the moment you don’t play along, the mask drops. The “polite agent” suddenly transforms into a street comedian with a PhD in insults. You hang up thinking, “eh, this one missed drama auditions.” It’s almost comical how fast they switch from “dear customer” to “your head is full!” The goal is to rattle you, make you doubt yourself, and waste your peace. But remember — their anger is not proof of legitimacy; it’s proof of frustration.
They’ve mastered human emotion: fear, urgency, greed, and curiosity — and they switch between them like DJs changing tracks. When vishing slows down, they move on to fake delivery companies, fake jobs, and now, fake creative gigs.
The New Script: “We Loved Your Work Online!”
It usually starts with a warm WhatsApp message or a friendly call. The number sometimes looks international — giving it that “big client” feeling. The person says they’re part of a media or tourism team coming to Uganda soon. They’ve “seen your work online” and want you to create reels, short videos, or photography for an upcoming event. They even drop familiar places to sound legitimate: Sheraton Kampala, Serena Hotel, Jinja Nile Resort.
They sound professional, sometimes even charming. “Your editing style is just what we’re looking for,” they say. You, meanwhile, are flattered. Finally, someone noticed the art you’ve been sweating over between generator hums and slow Wi-Fi!
Conversations flow smoothly — budgets, timelines, even location scouting. You begin to think, “God, maybe this is my breakthrough.” Then, right before D-day, the “client” calls again. Their voice now carries just a hint of helplessness.
“Hey, I’m having trouble loading M-Pesa on my phone — could you please help me load some funds? I’ll refund you when we meet.”
The request sounds small, almost innocent. After all, they’ve been so polite. You’ve been talking for days. They used business language. They said Sheraton! What could go wrong?
You send the money. They thank you warmly. Five minutes later — their number is off. WhatsApp profile disappears. The project vanishes. And just like that, another creative has been scammed.
Why This Works So Well
It’s not about intelligence; it’s about emotion. Scammers know creatives are hopeful people. We dream big. We trust easily when someone appreciates our work. They speak our language — “shoot,” “reel,” “collaboration,” “exposure” — and that’s all it takes. Their success depends on how well they can mimic opportunity.
They also rely on timing. They’ll call when you’re in between gigs, or when your bills are whispering louder than your logic. They’ll rush you into decisions, making you believe generosity equals professionalism.
For the Creatives Out There
My creative family, please — your gift is valuable, but your trust is priceless. No real client will ever ask you to send or load money on their behalf. That’s not a business transaction; that’s manipulation wrapped in politeness.
If someone contacts you:
Insist on email communication from a company domain, not a chat app.
Check if their name or number appears on official websites or LinkedIn.
Ask for a short video call — scammers rarely show their faces.
Never rush into sending money or sharing mobile-money details.
Discuss contracts and deposits formally before meeting.
A real client will respect your boundaries. A scammer will test them.
Beyond Uganda, Same Tricks
While this story sounds local, the scam itself has cousins all over the world — fake influencer brand deals, fraudulent casting calls, and “sponsorship” messages that end in payment requests. It’s the same deception wearing different national costumes.
So whether you’re in Kampala, Lagos, Nairobi, or London — the rule is the same: if a deal needs you to pay before you work, it’s not a deal.
Final Reflection
The bafele are creative, I’ll give them that. But so are we. And we’re wiser now. We know that real opportunities don’t begin with panic or pity; they begin with professionalism and proof.
So next time that “client” slides into your WhatsApp, quoting Sheraton and promising golden exposure, pause. Take a breath. Remember that sometimes, the most professional thing you can say is a firm, polite “No.”
And if they insist, just laugh softly and tell them:
“My friend, I’ve already seen this movie — and it ends badly for the scammer.”
Stay alert. Stay creative. Stay cyber steady.
If you’ve made it this far, I’m going to assume we’re friends now, right? And what do friends do? They like, they comment, and they definitely stay in touch!
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Until next time, I remain yours stealthily, TheCyberMamushka 🥷
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