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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has taken significant steps to combat examination malpractice using decoy websites built to trap candidates attempting to purchase leaked exam questions or manipulate their scores.
Using this technique, JAMB has been able to identify 180 candidates who tried to cheat during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) mock test. Now, the examination body is planning to penalize the candidates by cancelling the candidates’ UTME and Direct Entry (DE) results.
Additionally, the candidates may face legal consequences, such as court proceedings. The infraction occurred during the 2025 UTME mock examination, which took place on April 10, 2025, with over 211,000 candidates participating across designated Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers in Nigeria.
JAMB's Fake Websites
JAMB built and developed the decoy sites to mimic fraudulent platforms/sites operated by people who deceive candidates into paying certain amount of money to pass their UTME--which is never possible.
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB registrar, revealed during a press briefing in Bwari, Abuja while monitoring the mock exam, that JAMB deliberately created these fake websites to identify and expose candidates seeking to undermine the examination’s integrity. He noted that the board is aware of fraudsters’ tactics and uses innovative strategies to stay ahead.
JAMB says there's no way to cheat in UTME, and to stop these bad actors from deceiving candidates into paying for what will never come to past, JAMB set up their own fake websites to trap candidates looking for ways to cheat. So far, approximately 180 candidates were caught after making payments, some as high as ₦30,000.
Oloyede also emphasized that attempting to cheat is an infraction. He stated, “We have about 180 of them, and we are going to deal with them firmly. We are going to cancel their results, both UTME and DE.” He urged candidates to study diligently, as this is the only legitimate way to pass the UTME, and warned against patronizing rogue websites.
In addition to JAMB's effort to fight examination malpractices, the board has join force with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to tackle online scams and phishing websites. In a related development, three suspects—Effa Leonard Mpama, Ibang Ernest Jerome, and Eshiet Odotukana Benson—were arrested for operating fake JAMB websites, manipulating the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), and forging admission letters.
Fake Messaging Scams
You also needs to beware of fake messages that mimic JAMB's official communication system. JAMB has issued a warning regarding this matter, saying candidates need to be careful online and to check the SMS received well to make sure it comes from JAMB.
JAMB says these fraudsters mimick its official communication system using a deceptive sort code combining the numerical variant of UTME (8863) with JAMB’s official sort code (55019).
However, the board relief candidates by saying security agencies are already working on tracking the perpetrators, and candidates are advised to verify communications through JAMB’s official channels.
It's also worth mentioning that JAMB has also uncovered cases of forged academic credentials, such as 585 fake A-Level certificates in 2025, including 13 fake Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) certificates. The board uses the Nigeria Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (NIPED) to authenticate records and combat certificate forgery.
Most importantly, candidates are also warned to use only the official JAMB website (www.jamb.gov.ng) for services like printing UTME notification slips. Any other website offering such services is fraudulent and designed to steal personal information and money.
Candidates are also cautioned against websites or individuals offering “live” questions, leaked papers, or score upgrades, as these are deceptive and prohibited. Accessing such materials could lead to disqualification.
Furthermore, it's important to keep in mind that you need to report any suspicious websites or messages to JAMB or the Nigeria Police Force as soon as you can. This will help safe others from falling victim. By utilizing legitimate resources like JAMB’s CBT Practice Software, past questions, the official syllabus and studying hard, success is certain.
JAMB's 2025 UTME Info
The main 2025 UTME is scheduled to begin on April 25, 2025, at approved CBT centers across Nigeria. Candidates are advised to print their examination slips starting April 18, 2025, to access details like exam date, time, and venue. The exam registration ran from January 31 to March 5, 2025, with a registration fee of ₦7,200 (without mock) or ₦8,200 (with mock). Direct Entry registration occurred from March 10 to April 7, 2025, costing ₦5,700 only.