The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the Nigeria Police Force have issued warnings against the actions of individuals who use phony websites to deceive applicants for the upcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The test will be administered in each of the 36 federated states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
This was done in an effort to combat phishing websites and con artists in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre and JAMB.
During a joint press conference on Saturday at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, the police and JAMB stated that these phony websites are intended to trick naive applicants into divulging personal information like registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers.
After then, these details are used maliciously.
The joint press conference was required, according to JAMB spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin and Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, because of the appearance of multiple phony websites designed by dishonest people to deceive candidates.
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,”
While reiterating their readiness to defend candidates’ interests and uphold the integrity of the examination process, the NPF and JAMB further denounced the offenders.
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.
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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.
“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. 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.”
All candidates registered for this year’s UTME, which is set to begin on Friday, April 19, were instructed by JAMB on Friday to print out their examination notification slips.
The notification slip is available for candidates to print out, according to the board.