Suspected cybercriminals have launched a brazen attack against GTBank, one of Nigeria’s banking giants, hijacking its website and threatening the security of countless customers.
Late Wednesday night, investigations by Peoples Gazette revealed that the bank’s official domain, gtbank.com, had inexplicably gone dark.
This alarming incident came just a day after the domain name was secured for another five years, set to span from August 13, 2024, to March 21, 2029, as confirmed by multiple online domain analysis platforms.
Despite the shocking breach, no group of hackers has stepped forward to claim responsibility for this digital vandalism, which appears to have begun on August 14.
When approached for comments, a GTBank spokesman was unresponsive, raising further concerns among anxious customers.
In a cunning twist, the attackers seem to have crafted a fake layer of the website, deliberately designed to ensnare unsuspecting users and pilfer their sensitive login information via phishing tactics.
A cybersecurity expert with deep ties to the Nigerian banking sector warned that the hackers might have accessed customers’ login details, rather than simply targeting the domain for reselling at a premium in the dark corners of the internet.
Frustration has reached a boiling point among GTBank’s customers, with many taking to social media platform X to voice their inability to access the website for essential transactions. In response, some bank representatives on X have urged patience, directing customers to a dedicated channel for their inquiries.
GTBank stands as one of Nigeria’s largest financial institutions, trusted by millions across Nigeria and other parts of Africa, making this breach not just a headline, but a significant threat to the security of its clients.