As candidates prepare for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, scheduled to commence on April 19, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and the Nigeria Police have warned them against patronising fake sites for printing slip.
The two organisations gave the warning at a joint news conference in Abuja on Saturday.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the emergence of several fake websites created by unscrupulous individuals with the intention of misleading candidates had been observed. Therefore, he said, there was a need for candidates to beware of their tactics.
According to him, these fake sites are designed to deceive innocent candidates into providing personal details. These include registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers exploited for malicious purposes.
“Both JAMB and the Nigeria Police Force condemn these fraudulent activities. And (we) hereby reiterate our 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,” he said.
Adejobi explained that the force was familiar with the tactics employed by the fraudsters, especially during the annual assessment and admission exercises.
He, therefore, said that both organisations were 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 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 also called on candidates to beware of sites offering ‘live’ questions and answers. The Police said they were false and deceptive, saying that accessing such materials was prohibited.
He further said the board is partnering with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre, NPF-NCCC, to address online scam-related issues seamlessly.
He assured candidates and the public of the force firm dedication to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process.
Also, he 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.
On his part, the JAMB Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, pledged the Board’s commitment to continue in playing its role
He, therefore, urged candidates to ignore any unsolicited messages noting that they were scams aimed at defrauding candidates.
Recall that the 2024 UTME is scheduled to commence on Friday, 19th April, and end on Monday, 29th April, 2024.