The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has publicly disassociated himself from a series of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos falsely linking him to drug promotions and scholarship offers.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, March 26, Adeboye clarified that he has no involvement with these deceptive schemes and urged his followers to remain vigilant against fraudulent activities that seek to exploit their trust.
The misleading videos, which have been widely circulated on social media, falsely claim that the revered cleric endorses certain drugs and scholarships.
Pastor Adeboye’s Statement
Adeboye’s statement read: “I have been made aware of disturbing AI-generated videos circulating online, falsely advertising certain drugs and scholarships that are intended to deceive and mislead people.
These videos are NOT from me, and I want to make it clear that I have no involvement in such promotions.”
He further warned the public against engaging with or sharing such content, emphasizing the need to report the fake accounts and videos to prevent their continued spread.
“I urge 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.
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.”
Adeboye also named two entities, “Africa Health Centre” and “Church-Funded Scholarships,” as being behind these misleading advertisements. He assured the public that the relevant authorities were already handling the matter.
“These malicious acts by ‘Africa Health Centre’ and ‘Church-Funded Scholarships’ are being dealt with already by the relevant authorities as we will not allow God’s name to be used in vain for such wickedness.”
The Growing Threat of AI-Generated Misinformation
This incident highlights the growing problem of AI-generated misinformation, which is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from real content.
The rise of deepfake technology and AI-powered media manipulation has made it easier for fraudsters to create highly realistic but entirely fabricated videos, leading to the spread of misinformation and fraudulent schemes.
Experts have warned about the dangers of AI-generated deepfakes in various sectors, including politics, finance, and religion.
Many prominent figures, including celebrities, politicians, and religious leaders, have fallen victim to these deceptive tactics, raising concerns about the ethical use of AI in digital media.
The Response from RCCG and Security Agencies
Following Adeboye’s statement, the RCCG leadership reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the public is not deceived by these fraudulent claims.
The church has taken steps to report the malicious content and urged its members to rely only on official church communication channels for verified information.
Authorities have also been alerted to investigate the entities behind these fraudulent campaigns. Cybercrime experts have advised the public to be cautious when encountering social media content that appears suspicious, especially when it claims to be from a reputable personality.
Public Reaction and Call for Stricter Regulations
Many of Adeboye’s followers and members of the public expressed their outrage over the use of AI-generated content to mislead people. Social media users called for stricter regulations on AI-generated media to prevent such fraudulent schemes from spreading unchecked.
Cybersecurity experts have recommended that social media platforms implement stronger verification processes to identify and remove AI-generated misinformation.
They also urge individuals to fact-check suspicious content before sharing or engaging with it.
As AI technology continues to advance, the challenge of combating AI-generated misinformation grows.
Pastor Adeboye’s disavowal of the fraudulent videos serves as a crucial reminder of the need for increased awareness and vigilance in the digital age.
With the involvement of law enforcement and tech platforms, efforts to curb the spread of such deceptive content will be crucial in maintaining public trust and preventing further exploitation.
In the meantime, religious organizations, public figures, and individuals must work together to verify information and report misleading content to safeguard digital spaces from misinformation.
