The Nigeria Police Force and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,JAMB, have warned against the activities of those using fake websites to scam candidates applying for the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination,UTME.

The examination will be held across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

This was as the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre and JAMB partner to clamp down on phishing websites and scammers.

The police and JAMB, during a joint press conference held at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja on Saturday, noted that these fake sites are designed to deceive innocent candidates into providing personal details such as registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers.

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These details are then exploited for malicious purposes.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi and the spokesperson for JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, noted that the emergence of several fake websites created by unscrupulous individuals with the intention of misleading candidates necessitated the joint press briefing.

Adejobi said, “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the Nigeria Police Force hereby bring to the attention of the public the ongoing printing of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination Notification Slip which contains vital information such as the date, venue, and time of candidates’ examinations.

“Unfortunately, the emergence of several fake websites created by unscrupulous individuals with the intention of misleading candidates has been observed, necessitating this joint press briefing.

“These fake sites are designed to deceive innocent candidates into providing personal details such as registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers. These details are then exploited for malicious purposes,”

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The NPF and JAMB further condemned the perpetrators while reiterating their readiness to safeguard the interests of candidates and maintain the integrity of the examination process.

They further urged 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.

Adejobi added, “Candidates can print their slips from the comfort of their homes or visit any of the over 700 accredited Computer-Based Test centres nationwide. It is important to note that we are familiar with the tactics employed by these fraudsters, especially during the annual assessment and admission exercises.

“We are actively sensitising candidates and the public about these deceptive practices. Any candidate who visits these fake sites will definitely have unreliable information and thereby miss out on the forthcoming exams.

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“Candidates are advised to print their UTME Notification Slips before Friday, April 19, 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 also advised candidates to beware of sites offering ‘live’ questions and answers while noting that they are false and deceptive, and accessing such materials is prohibited.

He noted, “The 2024 UTME is scheduled to commence on Friday, April 19, and end on Monday, April 29, 2024. We call on parents, guardians, and the general public to join hands in fostering a culture of integrity and compliance with established guidelines. Together, we can nurture a generation of upright and law-abiding leaders by discouraging fraudulent practices and desperation.

“Furthermore, JAMB is partnering with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre to address online scam-related issues seamlessly.

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“We assure candidates and the public of our firm dedication to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process. In addition, the Inspector General of Police has ordered the NPF-NCCC to go after scammers and fraudsters who engage in cyber-related crimes and create phishing sites/portals, and cause them to face the full wrath of the law.”

JAMB had on Friday directed all candidates who registered for this year’s UTME scheduled to start next Friday, April 19, to print out the examination notification slip.

The board said the notification slip is ready for the candidates to print out.