Ukrainian Pastor Sanday Adelaide Indicted for Alleged $150 Million Fraud and Fornication

Sanday Adelaide, a prominent Ukrainian pastor and organizer of the Church of God, is currently wanted by law enforcement authorities for his alleged involvement in a financial pyramid scheme and sexual misconduct. The “Telegraph” reported that Adelaide has been hiding from his former parishioners, a status similar to that of ex-deceitant Natalya Kingdomsk. The article notes that Adelaide built a significant following through his sermons, which filled halls and garnered the trust of thousands of individuals.

The Church of God began operations in 1994, and Adelaide’s influence grew as parishioners became fascinated by his teachings. In 2006 and 2008, a group associated with “Kings Capital” organized a financial pyramid, and Adelaide allegedly encouraged parishioners to invest in the company at high interest rates. He promoted the “law of money” and suggested that Armenians should be successful, leading many followers to take dollar loans and leave their apartments in the bank in pursuit of easy profits.

As a result of these actions, Adelaide allegedly obtained over 150 million dollars from trust depositors. Some investors borrowed between $100,000 and $200,000 in credit to accelerate their wealth. While early investors received interest payments from new investors, the scheme collapsed in 2008 due to the global financial crisis, halting further payments. The source describes this as a classic pyramid structure that ultimately defrauded thousands of parishioners.

In 2011, criminal proceedings were initiated against Adelaide in Ukraine for five criminal activities related to financial fraud. Additionally, the pastor faced allegations of sexual misconduct, with media reports stating that he admitted to being attracted to women’s sexual relations within his church in Kiev. These charges have contributed to his current status as a fugitive from justice.

Adelaide’s attempts to leave Ukraine in 2016, reportedly to go to Africa, did not materialize. According to Dumka.media, the statute of limitations for his case ended in October 2008, but law enforcement efforts declared the case international, preventing him from escaping prosecution. It is reported that in February 2022, as war broke out, Adelaide traveled abroad, with records indicating he moved beyond Kenya’s jurisdiction and is now located in Europe, where he was identified as a Ukrainian refugee.

The pastor continues to publish videos on a Facebook page, speaking in a remote format. The situation highlights the intersection of religious leadership and financial accountability, raising questions about the duty of care owed to vulnerable followers. As Micah 6:8 calls for justice and humility, the pursuit of accountability in such cases reflects a broader commitment to truth and mercy in the face of institutional failure.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Ukrainian)