Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, has strongly condemned internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo,” warning Christians against participating in the practice or defending it because of the money involved.
Speaking during a church service, Ibiyeomie maintained that internet fraud remains stealing regardless of the terminology used to describe it or the financial gains made by those involved.
The cleric also disclosed that some people involved in internet fraud still attend churches, including Salvation Ministries, and questioned how anyone could defraud others while continuing to worship God.
According to him, the fact that fraudsters make significant amounts of money does not make their activities acceptable.
“Yahoo is stealing, no matter how you put it. You are just colourizing it. Yahoo is wrong,” he said.
Ibiyeomie further recounted the alleged experience of a university professor and electrical engineer who reportedly lost all the money in his bank account to internet fraudsters.
He claimed that the professor collapsed after discovering that his entire savings had been taken and subsequently died.
The pastor used the incident to warn Christians about the potential consequences of internet fraud, particularly for victims who may lose their life savings as a result of fraudulent activities.
He urged members of his congregation to distance themselves from people involved in internet fraud, stressing that Christians should not associate closely with individuals whose activities conflict with their faith.
“You can’t follow such a person. In case you are following such a person, separate from him now,” Ibiyeomie said.
The Salvation Ministries founder also directed anyone involved in Yahoo within his church to stop the practice or worship elsewhere if they were unwilling to give it up.
He said the amount of money a person possesses does not change the moral status of obtaining another person’s property through fraud.
Ibiyeomie’s comments add to growing calls from religious and community leaders for young Nigerians to reject internet fraud and pursue legitimate means of earning a living.
The pastor reiterated that taking another person’s money without consent amounts to stealing, regardless of the name given to the act or the justification offered for it.
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