Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has raised an alarm over the circulation of fake AI-generated videos online, which fraudulently promote false drug advertisements and scholarships. The renowned pastor has distanced himself from these deceptive online materials, urging his followers to remain vigilant and report such scams.
The videos, which have been circulating across various social media platforms, falsely claim to be endorsed by Pastor Adeboye. They advertise certain drugs and scholarships, misusing his image and name to lure unsuspecting individuals into fraudulent schemes. In his public statement, Adeboye made it clear that he has no connection to these promotions and warned his followers against engaging with the content.
Pastor Adeboye, known for his influential role in the Nigerian Christian community, addressed the issue through his social media channels and during church services, emphasizing the importance of remaining cautious in the face of online deception. He expressed concern over how such malicious acts could exploit the trust of his congregation and the general public.
“These videos are NOT from me, and I want to make it clear that I have no involvement in such promotions,” Pastor Adeboye stated in his message. He urged everyone to be careful when encountering online content, especially material that seems too good to be true, and to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
“I encourage all of you, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, to be vigilant and not fall for these fraudulent schemes. They are designed to exploit your trust for selfish gain,” Adeboye added.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake content has become a growing concern in Nigeria and around the world. With the rapid advancement of AI technology, it has become easier for criminals to produce convincing videos, images, and even audio recordings that can mislead the public. These videos often feature well-known figures like Pastor Adeboye, making it difficult for viewers to discern what is real from what is fake.
In this case, the AI-generated videos falsely advertise products like drugs and scholarships, exploiting the names and images of trusted individuals and organizations for malicious purposes. The aim of these videos is to deceive people into making purchases or sharing personal information, often leading to financial losses and identity theft.
Pastor Adeboye’s warning highlights the growing issue of online deception and the potential dangers of AI technology when used for fraudulent activities. The Nigerian government, alongside tech companies, has been working to address the rise of AI-generated content and its implications for privacy and security.
In his statement, Pastor Adeboye encouraged his followers and the general public to take immediate action when they come across such fraudulent content. He urged people to report the fake accounts and videos on all social media platforms in order to prevent further spread of the deceptive material.
“Please do not share or engage with these posts. I encourage you to report these fake accounts and videos immediately on all social media platforms. Together, we can ensure that such deception does not spread further,” he said.
Pastor Adeboye’s call to action comes at a time when the Nigerian government and law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to combat cybercrime and online fraud. The government has been working to strengthen cybersecurity laws and provide more resources for the investigation and prosecution of cybercriminals.
Pastor Adeboye specifically mentioned two entities, the “Africa Health Centre” and “Church-Funded Scholarships,” which appear to be linked to the fraudulent activities. These names are being used in the fake videos to give the impression that they are legitimate organizations endorsed by Pastor Adeboye or the church.
“These malicious acts by ‘Africa Health Centre’ and ‘Church-Funded Scholarships’ are being dealt with already by the relevant authorities,” Pastor Adeboye stated. “We will not allow God’s name to be used in vain for such wickedness.”
The inclusion of these names in the fraudulent videos further complicates the issue, as they exploit the reputation of religious organizations and healthcare initiatives to gain credibility. The fraudulent use of a religious leader’s name, particularly one as influential as Pastor Adeboye, is a tactic that seeks to manipulate the trust of individuals who may be seeking financial assistance or health-related solutions.
