Hacker Group Strikes Singaporean Watch Retailer: Data Breach Raises Privacy Concerns for High-Profile Clients

Quincy Jon, Tech Times 05 June 2023, 04:06 pm

A Singaporean retailer company was attacked by hackers a week after the Goldheart data breach that affected over 40,000 clients. This time, a hacker going by the handle Bassterlord has struck the upscale shop Cortina Watch.

The hacker tweeted that he had successfully taken 2GB of data from the business and was now holding it for ransom. The tweet raised privacy concerns since it alluded to the possibility of disclosing the addresses of famous clientele, The Straits Times reported.

To substantiate the allegation, the hacker provided a sample of the stolen data on Twitter, including customer contact information, names, and email addresses. Since the data was kept on Cortina Watch's hacked servers, the stolen information was collected via the company's website's contact form.

Bassterlord, a Ukrainian individual in his 20s, is said to be the leader of the National Hazard Agency hacking gang.

Cyber-security company Analyst1 has determined that Bassterlord mainly engages in ransomware operations and has links to at least four well-known ransomware gangs.

Sensitive Data Compromised

Kean Ng, chief executive officer of Aspial Lifestyle, the owner of Goldheart, issued a statement acknowledging the cyberattack incident, according to Head Topics. The firm immediately acted by alerting the impacted clients, submitting a police complaint, informing the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), and reporting the occurrence.

Ng stated that forensic examination shows the intrusion was caused by illegal outside activity that targeted their e-commerce website.

Sensitive information about clients, such as names, addresses, email addresses, birth dates, and phone numbers, is among the compromised data. Fortunately, the hackers could not access or get any passwords or financial information. Cortina Watch customers were informed by Ng that there is no chance of fraud due to the nature of the exposed data.

Established in 1972 by Mr. Anthony Lim, Cortina Watch has grown from humble beginnings to become a significant retailer in East and Southeast Asia and Australia, per Prestige. The famous multi-brand retailer's 50th anniversary as a business was commemorated last year.