An Ogun State resident, identified only as Olugbenga, has lost ₦120,000 to a scammer posing as a GTBank customer support agent on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The incident began on Saturday, when Olugbenga tagged Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in a post, complaining about an unexplained ₦100 deduction from his bank account. By Sunday morning, he had fallen victim to a fraudulent account impersonating the bank.
According to an independent source, the fake GTBank account responded to Olugbenga’s post and directed him to contact a WhatsApp number: 08146293727. Believing the account was legitimate due to its GTBank logo and branding, Olugbenga followed the instructions.
“In my ignorance, I didn’t check the X account very well because it carried a GTBank logo. I thought it was their original account,” Olugbenga said.
The impersonator then began chatting with him on WhatsApp, requesting sensitive information such as his OTP, secret app code, and finally, the last 10 digits of his debit card. It was at this point that Olugbenga realized he had been duped.
“Before I could log back into my app, they had started withdrawing money. I had been saving that money for my rent. I feel devastated,” he said.
A screen recording reviewed by the source showed that the scammer transferred:
₦20,000 to a PalmPay account,
₦20,000 airtime four times to different numbers, and
₦10,000 airtime twice to other numbers — totaling ₦120,000.
Warning Signs and Scam Tactics
The scammer used typical tactics:
Responding quickly to X posts tagging the bank.
Displaying GTBank’s logo and a misleading handle.
Directing victims to WhatsApp numbers for “support.”
Requesting personal financial details under the guise of verification.
An important notice on GTBank’s official website warns customers to be wary of such fraudulent activity and never share sensitive information online.
Recurring Pattern of Fraud
This isn’t the first such incident. In 2022, a scammer impersonating GTBank—under the handle @gauranrty—defrauded customers using a similar method. Another impersonator using 08128827821 stole ₦1.5 million in the same year.
The fraud has continued into 2025. As of this week, numerous fake GTBank support accounts were still active on X, responding to customer complaints with WhatsApp numbers like 08146293727, 08069764225, and 07076924346.
Unfortunately, many of these scam replies are hidden under the “Show additional replies” section on X, making them easy for unsuspecting users to overlook.
How to Stay Safe From Fake Bank Agents
Verify social media handles using the bank’s official website.
Never share your OTP, PIN, or card details with anyone online.
GTBank and other reputable banks do not provide support via WhatsApp.
Use only official banking apps and contact centers for complaints.
