It sounds like a joke made up in a pub. A man named Sam Sung worked for Apple. Not Samsung, not a parody account, but a real person serving real customers in an Apple Store in Vancouver.
When his business card hit Reddit in 2012, the internet exploded with laughter and disbelief. It was as if the universe had pulled the ultimate prank. People could not believe that Apple, the company long known for its rivalry with Samsung, had an employee whose name looked like the rival brand’s logo come to life. For a few weeks, Sam became one of the most talked-about Apple employees on the internet.
When Fame Felt Like Trouble
Sam, a Scottish-born man who had moved to Canada, had no idea what Reddit was when his name became viral. He was just doing his job, helping customers find iPhones and accessories. Then suddenly, strangers from around the world were calling the store asking to speak to “Sam Sung.” They wanted photos and interviews, and some even phoned just to confirm he was real. Some reportedly wondered if his name tag was fake.
Instead of enjoying the attention, Sam panicked. He worried Apple would see the viral fame as a problem. According to reports, Apple allegedly took quick action to manage the situation. He was quietly pulled from the shop floor and told not to hand out any more business cards. He was allegedly kept off the public floor while Apple managed the viral attention. For a short while, he stayed away from customers while the buzz died down. He later admitted that he genuinely thought Apple might fire him over something he never meant to cause.
Leaving Apple and Finding Purpose
By 2013, Sam had decided to leave Apple altogether. He wanted a more private life, far from the chaos his name had caused. The following year, he found a way to turn the bizarre fame into something meaningful. He placed his old Apple business card, staff shirt, and badge on eBay, donating the proceeds of more than $2,500 to the Children’s Wish Foundation. People from around the world bid for the unique memorabilia, seeing it as a collector’s treasure.
After leaving retail, Sam began a new career in recruitment. But the attention from his old name followed him. Every time he introduced himself, someone would laugh or make a joke about Samsung. It was funny for a few seconds, then tiring for years. The fame he never asked for had turned into a label he couldn’t shake.
A New Name, A Fresh Start
Eventually, Sam made a bold decision. He legally changed his surname from “Sung” to “Struan,” taking the name of a Scottish village he admired. He explained that it wasn’t about shame but about reclaiming his identity. He wanted to be known for his work, not for a meme. It also made practical sense. Every social media handle or website he tried to register with his old name was already taken or used in jokes.
Today, Sam Struan looks back with mixed feelings. He laughs about it now, calling it a strange but unforgettable chapter of his life. He admits he wishes he had enjoyed the attention more instead of worrying so much. He said he had been too caught up in fear, realising later how small the internet moment really was compared to the pressure he felt at the time.
The Legend Lives On
Even though it happened more than a decade ago, the story of Sam Sung at Apple continues to surface online every few years. It resurfaces on social media and in tech stories as a reminder of how unpredictable fame can be. His experience reveals how the digital world can turn an ordinary person into a viral headline overnight.
What makes it extraordinary is not just the coincidence of his name but how he handled the situation. While some might have tried to cash in on the fame, Sam quietly donated to charity and moved on. His story shows that behind every viral post, a real person is dealing with real consequences.
