There have been some notable stories from Kenya about impersonators of celebrities like Jason Derulo, Diamond Platnumz, and Ruger. Here’s a summary of the incidents involving these “fake” versions:
1. Fake Jason Derulo in Kenya
A person posing as the American singer Jason Derulo reportedly defrauded people by claiming to be the real artist. The impersonator would trick fans and event organizers into believing he was Jason Derulo and would offer to perform at events or provide shoutouts for a fee. This scam caught the attention of the public and the authorities when victims started reporting the fraud. In some cases, local promoters were conned into booking and paying for performances that never took place.
2. Fake Diamond Platnumz
Similarly, a fake Diamond Platnumz, posing as the famous Tanzanian Bongo Flava artist, has reportedly been sighted in Kenya. The impersonator is known to con fans by promising exclusive access to events, fake meet-and-greets, and even fake collaborations for local artists. This scam artist reportedly uses social media and messaging platforms to target unsuspecting fans and aspiring musicians, swindling them out of money.
3. Fake Ruger
In a separate incident, a person impersonating Nigerian artist Ruger allegedly scammed people in Kenya. This impersonator went to great lengths, even copying Ruger’s social media presence and contacting fans directly. The fake Ruger would offer to perform at events or claim to have business deals with local promoters, asking for payments upfront. Several event organizers and fans fell victim to this scam before it was exposed.
General Public Reactions and Awareness
These incidents highlight the growing trend of celebrity impersonation in Kenya, which has raised concerns about the authenticity of social media accounts and celebrity interactions. The public and authorities have been urged to verify the identity of celebrities and cross-check their presence with official channels before engaging in any transactions or agreements.