The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended three individuals responsible for creating fake websites for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration and falsifying JAMB admission letters.
The arrests were announced by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Thursday.
In April, both the Nigeria Police Force and JAMB had warned about scammers using fraudulent websites to deceive candidates applying for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Police and JAMB, during a joint press conference at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, highlighted that these fake sites were designed to collect personal information such as registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers, which were then misused.
Adejobi’s statement, titled “Police Unveil Threat Actors Behind Falsification of Thousands of Fake JAMB Admission Letters, Arrests 3, Recovers 4 Fake Domain, Website,” confirmed the arrest of the culprits.
Inspector General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun reiterated the NPF’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens both physically and online.
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The suspects, Effa Leonard Mpama, Ibang Ernest Jerome, and Eshiet Odotukana Benson, aged 34, 38, and 38 respectively, belong to a syndicate that illegally accessed JAMB’s Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and e-facility.
They altered and deleted candidates’ previous admission letters, inputting fake details to create inauthentic admission letters, which were then used to secure admissions into tertiary institutions and for National Youth Service Corps mobilization.
The suspects revealed their roles in the conspiracy. Mpama and Jerome collected personal details of prospective candidates and forwarded them to Benson, who used CAPS links provided by individuals named Daniel and Chris.
These accomplices, still at large, worked at JAMB Computer Based Test (CBT) centers in Calabar, Cross River State. Digital forensic analysis also led to the discovery of an Imo State-based syndicate behind the creation of fake domains and associated websites.
Egbetokun commended the National Cybercrime Center for their efforts in leveraging technological advancements to protect Nigerian citizens.
He warned against criminal activities that promote such illegal endeavors and confirmed that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
