The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, along with the police, issued a cautionary alert to candidates gearing up for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination regarding fraudulent websites.

This advisory was delivered during a joint press conference held in Abuja over the weekend.

According to ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, numerous counterfeit websites have been established by dishonest individuals with the aim of deceiving candidates.

He emphasized the importance of candidates exercising vigilance, as these deceitful websites are crafted to dupe unsuspecting individuals into divulging sensitive personal information, including registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers.

“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 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 centres nationwide,” he said.

Mr Adejobi explained that the force was familiar with the tactics employed by fraudsters, especially during the annual assessment and admission exercises.

He, therefore, said that both organisations were actively sensitising candidates and the public about the 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 said.

He also called on candidates to beware of websites offering ‘live’ questions and answers, as they were false and deceptive, saying that accessing such materials was prohibited.

He further said the board was partnering with the Nigeria Police Force National CyberCrime Centre to address online scam-related issues seamlessly.

He assured candidates and the public of the force’s firm dedication to 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.

On his part, the JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, pledged the board’s commitment to continue playing its role

He urged candidates to ignore any unsolicited messages, noting that they were from elements who aim at defrauding candidates.

The 2024 UTME is scheduled to commence on Friday, April 19, and end on April 29.