‘Yahoo is stealing’ — Pastor Ibiyeomie tells Yahoo boys not to bring fraud money to his church

• Pastor David Ibiyeomie described Yahoo Yahoo as stealing and warned against fraud proceeds.

• He told members involved in internet fraud not to bring such money as offerings to his church.

• The cleric recounted the story of a professor and consultant he said lost his savings to fraudsters.

• Ibiyeomie has repeatedly criticised internet fraud and the celebration of wealth obtained through scams. 

Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder and senior pastor of Salvation Ministries, has condemned internet fraud popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo,” warning members of his church involved in the practice not to bring proceeds from fraud as offerings.

The cleric made the statement during a sermon where he described internet fraud as stealing and argued that money obtained through deception should not be accepted as legitimate wealth.

“Yahoo is stealing. If you're in this church and you're doing Yahoo, please don't give your offering here, go to another place,” Ibiyeomie said. 

The pastor said internet fraud involves taking what belongs to another person through dishonest means, insisting that financial hardship should not be used as a justification for defrauding others.

He urged young Nigerians involved in cybercrime to abandon the practice and seek legitimate means of making a living, saying wealth acquired by harming others should not be celebrated. 

During the sermon, Ibiyeomie also shared the story of a university professor and consultant whom he said was a victim of internet fraud.

According to the pastor, the professor, who he identified as an electrical engineer and one of the consultants who worked on one of their project sites, allegedly lost all the money in his bank account to fraudsters.

Ibiyeomie said the professor later collapsed and died after discovering that his savings had been taken.

“How can you be a friend to a Yahoo person? Do you know that I know somebody, a university professor? He was one of our consultants at the site, an electrical engineer. I won’t call his name,” the pastor said.

He added that the professor had lost his entire savings to fraudsters, saying the incident showed the devastating impact internet fraud can have on victims and their families. 

The cleric also criticised people who celebrate individuals who acquire expensive cars and other luxury items through fraudulent activities, arguing that such wealth often comes at the expense of other people’s suffering.

He said victims of online scams include people who have worked for years to build their savings, including retirees who could lose their life savings or retirement benefits to fraudsters. 

This is not the first time Ibiyeomie has spoken strongly against Yahoo Yahoo. In previous sermons, he has repeatedly described internet fraud as stealing and warned against accepting money obtained through fraudulent means. 

In an earlier warning to Yahoo boys, the pastor said: “That we preach prosperity does not mean you should go and kill your mother,” adding that people involved in internet fraud should stop the practice and work honestly. 

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He has also previously called on security agencies to arrest internet fraudsters and criticised individuals who accept money from them, arguing that proceeds from fraud should not be encouraged or celebrated. 

Ibiyeomie’s latest comments have generated discussions online, with some Nigerians supporting his stance against cybercrime, while others have debated broader issues such as unemployment, economic hardship and the factors that contribute to youth involvement in internet fraud.

Internet fraud remains a major concern in Nigeria, with law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), regularly warning citizens about online scams and financial crimes.