Houston’s Roda Osman, 33, who gained viral attention for alleging an assault with a brick outside a Houston club, is now charged with felony theft by deception.
Osman reportedly raised over $40,000 through a fraudulent GoFundMe page, claiming to be a victim of a similar attack three years ago. Houston police investigations reveal inconsistencies in her account, supported by surveillance footage and witness statements, undermining the credibility of her assault claims and exposing the potential GoFundMe scam.
On Sept. 3, police responded to Osman's report of an aggravated assault, where she claimed an unknown man threw a brick at her after she refused to give him her phone number. However, detectives found her intoxicated, and her friend disputed Osman's version of events.
Despite Osman's changing narratives and a lack of evidence supporting her assault claims, a GoFundMe campaign, raising $42,302, was initiated the next day, depicting her as a victim attacked for declining a phone number request.
The investigation uncovered Osman's history, including prior charges in various locations.
Detectives received information from mental health advocate Daphne Sutton, who exposed a similar scam in Minneapolis involving Osman in 2020. The GoFundMe created then mirrored the recent narrative, emphasizing a Black man assaulting her. Sutton provided evidence from Osman's ex-roommate and friends, revealing her history of deception.
Osman's credibility further diminishes as surveillance footage contradicts her account of the alleged assault.
The video shows Osman, Olan Douglas (the accused), and her friend conversing and entering a club together.
Later, the trio leaves, engages in a confrontation near a Maserati, and subsequently reenters the car. Douglas allegedly struck Osman with a plastic water bottle, deviating from Osman's claim of a brick assault. The footage contradicts her live Instagram video, causing skepticism among donors.
As a result of these revelations, GoFundMe has taken action. The fundraiser has been removed, all donors refunded, and Osman banned from the platform.
GoFundMe emphasizes zero tolerance for misuse and cooperates with law enforcement.
With Osman facing a theft by deception charge and an existing bail for separate offenses, the Harris County District Attorney's Office seeks a $50,000 bail. Legal consequences for exploiting the platform's generosity are not uncommon, as GoFundMe actively pursues legal action against wrongdoers.
“GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing,” wrote a GoFundMe spokesperson in a released statement regarding the situation. “The fundraiser has been removed from the platform, all donors have been refunded, and Roda Osman has been banned from using the platform for any future fundraisers. It is not unusual for GoFundMe to pursue legal recourse against those who exploit the generosity of its giving community.”
The investigation into Roda Osman's assault claims reveals a dubious history of scams and inconsistencies. Surveillance footage, witness statements, and Osman's changing narratives expose her potential GoFundMe scam, prompting legal actions and a ban from the fundraising platform.
The case underscores the importance of scrutiny and accountability in online fundraising efforts.
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