Sometimes this is due to a log string like this:
sqlplus SYS as SYSDBA/pass@db
which seems valid. It prompts you for a password and then proceeds as normal. However, this syntax is not valid. Instead of warning you, it will connect to the default database! Any user you then create will not be in the right database. The correct syntax is:
sqlplus SYS@db/pass as SYSDBA
or like this without a password:
sqlplus SYS@db as SYSDBA
Check what you are connected to:
select name from v$database;