Here’s a rewritten version with a more provocative tone:

BANKING ON BETRAYAL: Sable International’s Cyberattack Exposes Clients to Ransom

In a shocking admission, Sable International, a UK-based financial and immigration services firm with a footprint in South Africa, has been caught in a "sophisticated criminal cyberattack" that’s putting its clients’ personal data on the line. And to make matters worse, some clients have already received phishing emails that are designed to extract even more sensitive information.

"We’re talking about a brazen breach of trust here," said a cybersecurity expert who wished to remain anonymous. "It’s like they’re throwing caution to the wind and waiting for the wolves to pounce."

According to Sable International, its systems were breached despite its claims of having "robust" cybersecurity measures in place. And now, it’s scrambling to contain the damage by contacting affected clients and working to mitigate the risks.

But here’s the kicker: Sable International has shut down its servers, website, and transactional portal as a "security measure" – a move that’s likely to cause more chaos than calm for its clients.

"We’re in a full-blown crisis mode here," said group CEO Reg Bamford, who apologized to clients for the breach and promised to do everything possible to protect their interests. But the question on everyone’s mind is: how could this happen?

The truth is, data breaches are becoming more common by the day. And in South Africa, where cybercrime is rampant, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. That’s why we’re taking a closer look at the true cost of a data breach in South Africa – and what you can do to protect yourself.

Read next: The true cost of a data breach in South Africa