Controversial social media activist and commentator, VeryDarkMan, has publicly called out Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) over what he described as the illegal and distressing deduction of his mother's salary allegedly due to a loan taken fraudulently using her National Identification Number (NIN).
In a video that quickly went viral on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), the outspoken influencer expressed anger and disbelief that a reputable financial institution would repeatedly split or withhold a portion of his mother’s monthly salary without her consent, citing a loan she never took.
“GTBank, why are you splitting my mother’s salary every month? She didn’t take any loan! Someone used her NIN and you’re punishing her for it? How’s that justice?” he said in the video, calling the situation “a total violation of financial rights.”
The incident has reignited public concern over rising cases of identity theft and the unauthorized use of NINs to access loans from digital and traditional lenders. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to share similar experiences, in which their bank accounts or salaries were impacted by loans they never applied for.
VeryDarkMan’s case highlights the vulnerability of citizens in the current financial system, especially when fraudulent use of personal data like NINs goes unchecked. Critics argue that financial institutions should conduct more thorough verifications before approving loans and should protect innocent customers from the fallout of identity theft.
The activist has demanded that GTBank immediately reverse any deductions made from his mother’s account and open an investigation into how her NIN was linked to a loan without her authorization.
Legal experts say that if proven, this could be a violation of banking regulations and data protection laws, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which mandates institutions to secure personal data and ensure consent before use.
As of the time of this report, GTBank has not issued an official statement addressing the allegations. However, the incident is expected to add pressure on banks and regulators like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen protections against identity fraud and improve loan authentication systems.
With identity-based financial fraud on the rise, Nigerians are calling for clearer channels to dispute and resolve such cases — before victims are made to suffer for crimes they didn’t commit.
