Pastor says he took pictures of Heaven -- but lost them when his phone was stolen

Proof of Heaven was just one selfie away, says South African pastor Mostsoeneng Mboro, until thieves scuttled his plan to show it to the world by stealing his smartphone.

Originally, Mboro was offering to show people the pictures for a small fee of about $340, after currency conversion. This landed him in hot water with the law, so he decided he'd post them to Facebook for free. That was before meddling thieves at a car wash stole his phone -- and his pictures of heaven, eNCA reports.

He was facing extortion charges for offering the photos for a price, before he claims his Galaxy S5 was stolen.

“The pictures were really there, I saw them. We suspect one of the boys washing the Prophet’s car took the phone. But they all denied taking it, even after we threatened them,” one of Mboro's bodyguards told reporters. "All those who have deposited money will be refunded.”

The pastor claims he ascended to Heaven on Easter Sunday, according to Nehanda Radio.

Mboro's claims resulted in humorous social media memes, with amused South Africans editing his face into the Garden of Eden or heavenly clouds.