The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Nigeria Police have warned candidates sitting for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) against exposing themselves to the patronage of fake websites.
They gave the warning at a joint news conference in held in Abuja on Saturday 13 April.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an assistant commissioner of police, noted that there were several fake websites created by fraudsters with the intention of swindling unsuspecting candidates.
While urging candidates to be wary of their tactics, the police public relations officer stated that fake web sites were designed to deceive innocent candidates into providing personal details such as registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers.
He stated further; “Both JAMB and the Nigeria Police Force condemn these fraudulent activities and hereby reiterate the readiness to safeguard the interests of candidates and maintain the integrity of the examination process.
“We urge parents, guardians, and all stakeholders to ensure that candidates print their UTME Notification Slips only from the Board’s approved website: www.jamb.gov.ng.
“Candidates can print their slips from the comfort of their homes or visit any of the over 700 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.”
Mr Adejobi explained that the force was not unfamiliar with the tactics employed by fraudsters, especially during the annual assessment and admission exercises.
He stressed that both organisations was actively sensitising candidates and the public about these shady practices.
“Any candidate who visits these fake sites will definitely have unreliable information and thereby miss out in the forthcoming exams.
“Candidates are advised to print their UTME Notification Slips before Friday, 19th April, 2024, to access vital information about their examinations.
“Any website other than www.jamb.gov.ng offering UTME slip printing services is fake and designed to defraud candidates”. He added.
He equally called on candidates to beware of web sites offering ‘live’ questions and answers, as they were false and deceptive, saying that accessing such materials was prohibited.
Adejobi, further said the board was partnering with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to address online scam-related issues seamlessly.
He assured candidates and the general public of the force firm resolve in ensuring a fair and transparent examination process.
He also stressed that the Inspector General of Police had ordered the NPF-NCCC to go after scammers and fraudsters who engage in cyber related crimes and create phishing sites/portals.
Also speaking, the JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, pledged the Board’s commitment to continue in playing its role.
Benjamin urged candidates to ignore any unsolicited messages noting that they were from elements who aim at defrauding candidates.
