Sahara Bank has warned all its customers not to respond to any text messages, emails, or links from unknown sources that claim an account has been suspended or request an update to account information.

In a post on its website, the bank urged all customers not to share their passwords or one-time passwords (OTPs) with anyone or any entity, in order to protect their data and bank accounts from any breaches, according to the Libyan news agency.

The bank also emphasized the need to always ensure that customers access online banking services exclusively through the bank’s official channels, urging them to ignore any suspicious messages they may receive and to report them immediately via the website or email: [email protected].

Two bank officials detained on charges of granting unsecured loans

Last June, the Attorney General’s Office ordered the pretrial detention of the assistant general manager of Sahara Bank and the bank’s credit department head pending investigation, following allegations that they violated banking credit rules and regulations by approving a loan of 800 million dinars without the necessary collateral.

The Attorney General’s Office explained in a statement that investigations conducted by a deputy prosecutor at the office revealed that the disbursement of the amount had been approved in the form of a loan intended to finance production and investment operations, despite the lack of adequate collateral to secure the loan.

The statement added that the investigation revealed irregularities that contributed to other parties, aside from the accused, obtaining unlawful financial benefits, prompting the investigating authority to take legal action against the officials involved.