The Cherubim and Seraphim Church Worldwide has called on Prophets from any of its fold to stop rituals for youths specializing in internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo”.
From the Yahoo e-mail service, the term “Yahoo Boy” is derived. It is commonly used to refer to young men who engage in various forms of internet fraud, particularly advanced fee fraud and other scams.
Chairman, C&S Unification Osun State, Senior Apostle Samuel Onigbinde speaking at its pre-centenary revival in Osogbo on Monday said that the essence of the unification among the C&S Orimolade is to curb strange practices within the Church.
According to him, it is the evil men of God disguised as prophets who would be organising ritual prayers for such categories of individuals or groups, saying the doctrine of Moses Orimolade is healing through divinity, fasting and prayers rather than conjuring spirits.
“One of the essence of the Unification among the church is to fight strange practices among members. C&S is not for Yahoo boys, those prophets hiding under the white garment to perpetrate such evils must stop. A committee is already in place to ensure everyone conforms with the teachings of Prophet Moses Orimolade of blessed memory”.
Similarly, the convener of the pre-centenary revival, Pastor Olusegun Elijah churches are springing up daily due to joblessness among Nigerians.
He said many people find themselves in church businesses because they do not have a job to do and are failing in the duty of salvation, hence, increasing in crime rate.
“The joblessness in Nigeria has made many people turn their ability to the Church. It is also unfortunate that Clerics have been romancing the political class and can no longer hold them accountable for their actions and in actions in government. The increase in crime rate despite the proliferation of religious centres is a result of the failure of religious leaders.
“I called on our leaders to stop fraternising with politicians to hold them accountable while in public offices”, he added
In April 2024, the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel International, Bishop David Oyedepo, condemned fraudsters and “Yahoo Boys” saying they have a tainted future.
Oyedepo, while ministering at a service Canaanland on Sunday, advised youths to live within the ambit of the law
He condemned those in the business of defrauding others, saying they would end in bitterness and destruction.
“Nobody playing games has a future in the kingdom. Hear this and hear it forever. If that is your trade, stop it.
“Yahoo Yahoo business, stop it. Grabbing people’s ATM card details, stop it! You are on a very fast lane that always ends in bitterness and destruction.
“There is the law to mind. The law of sowing and reaping. The law of seedtime and harvest. The law of giving and receiving that is the law.
“Engage with that law cheerfully. Engage with that law willingly. Engage with that law tirelessly and watch how you begin to lay up gold with time,” he said.
Oyedepo becomes the latest cleric frowning at internet fraudsters after the senior preacher and founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, condemned them.
In a 2022 sermon, Ibiyomie dubbed “Yahoo Boys” as nothing but thieves
He mentioned that they (internet fraudsters) will ‘know no peace’ because they are stealing from other people.