Pastor David Ibiyeomie has condemned internet fraud, popularly known as yahoo, saying Christians involved in the act should not justify it regardless of how much money they make.
The founder of Salvation Ministries said there are people involved in Yahoo inside churches, including his own church, and questioned how they could defraud people and still feel comfortable worshipping.
“Yahoo is stealing, no matter how you put it. You are just colourizing it. Yahoo is wrong. You are not stealing? It’s your money? They’re stealing,” he said.
Ibiyeomie also shared the story of a university professor and electrical engineer who was allegedly defrauded of all the money in his bank account by internet fraudsters.
According to him, the professor collapsed after discovering that his entire savings had been taken and later died.
The pastor warned Christians against associating with internet fraudsters, saying their actions could have devastating consequences for their victims.
“You can’t follow such a person. In case you are following such a person, separate from him now,” he said.
He also told anyone engaging in Y@hoo while attending his church to leave and worship elsewhere if they intended to continue with the practice.
“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.
Ibiyeomie maintained that taking what belongs to another person without their consent is staggering, regardless of the label or justification attached to it.