Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide (commonly known as Winners Chapel), has expressed concern over the rising prevalence of fraudsters, noting that their activities are now spreading into all areas of society, including religious institutions.
During a midweek service, the renowned cleric recounted a recent incident in which an individual allegedly impersonated him in an attempt to deceive people. He described the experience as a reflection of the troubling times we live in.
Bishop Oyedepo explained that the impersonator contacted one of his aides, pretending to be him and making certain requests.
“We once had a situation where someone claimed to be me and said I was asking for something,” he shared with the congregation.
Fortunately, the attempt was thwarted because his assistant decided to verify the claim before taking any action.
“My assistant asked if the person wanted to speak to me. When the person said yes, he was connected, and it quickly became clear that he was lying,” Bishop Oyedepo recalled.
He added that the impersonator was immediately exposed and, in trying to cover himself, ended up incriminating himself further.
Using this incident as a cautionary tale, Bishop Oyedepo warned that fraudulent activities are becoming increasingly bold, even in churches.
“These crimes are no longer confined to markets or offices they are happening in schools and churches too,” he said.
The bishop urged both worshippers and the public to remain vigilant, stressing the importance of verifying information before responding to any requests, regardless of who is mentioned.
“Stay grounded in the truth, and you will not fall victim,” Bishop Oyedepo advised.