Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, has spoken out against internet fraud, popularly known in Nigeria as “Y@hoo,” insisting that Christians involved in the practice cannot justify it regardless of the financial gains involved.
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Speaking during a church service, Ibiyeomie said fr@udsters exist within churches, including his own congregation, and questioned how such individuals could defr@ud others while still feeling at ease worshipping.
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“Y@hoo is stealing, no matter how you put it. You are just colourizing it. Y@hoo is wrong. You are not stealing? It’s your money? They’re stealing,” he said.
The cleric recounted the story of a university professor and electrical engineer who, according to him, was defr@uded of his entire life savings by internet fraudsters. Ibiyeomie said the professor collapsed upon discovering the loss and later died — a claim that has not been independently verified.
He cautioned members of his congregation against keeping company with individuals engaged in fraudulent activities, warning that such associations could carry severe consequences.
“You can’t follow such a person. In case you are following such a person, separate from him now,” he said.
Ibiyeomie further stated that anyone involved in internet fraud while attending his church should worship elsewhere if they intended to continue the practice, regardless of their financial contributions to the church.
“And if in this church you are Yahoo, you go to another church and give your offering. I don’t care how much you have. Go,” he said.
He maintained that taking what belongs to another person without consent constitutes stealing, irrespective of how the act is labelled or rationalised.
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