JAMB unmasks 180 UTME candidates in sting operation using decoy websites

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered a major examination fraud network after deploying decoy websites to trap candidates seeking leaked exam questions and illegal score upgrades.

The operation, described as a proactive anti-malpractice strategy, led to the identification of 180 candidates who had paid as much as ₦30,000 and above to access fake “leaked” examination items ahead of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Speaking at a press briefing in Bwari, Abuja, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that the board set up the fake platforms to mirror those commonly used by fraudsters, luring dishonest candidates into exposing themselves.

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“JAMB has identified no fewer than 180 candidates who made payments to these fake websites, expecting illegal assistance such as leaked questions and score upgrades. These sites are traps, specifically designed to reduce the incidence of fraud and corruption among the nation’s youth,” Prof. Oloyede stated.

He warned that those found culpable will face strict penalties, including cancellation of results, disqualification from future exams, and possible prosecution, in line with JAMB’s guidelines on examination malpractice.

JAMB’s innovative approach aims to outmaneuver fraud rings that prey on desperate candidates.

The decoy websites, while fake, were professionally designed to look legitimate, mimicking illicit platforms that falsely promise access to leaked UTME questions and guaranteed high scores.

“This operation underscores our zero-tolerance for examination malpractice. As fraudsters adapt their tactics, JAMB must remain several steps ahead through continuous technological innovation,” Prof. Oloyede added.

The Registrar also noted that this year’s Mock-UTME, held earlier in 2025, served as a testing ground for the Board’s upgraded security and monitoring systems. The exercise helped JAMB fine-tune its defenses before the main UTME.

“It allows us to pilot and perfect our systems before the actual exam. The fight against exam fraud is dynamic; the techniques we used last year may not work this year, hence the need for constant evolution,” he explained.

Prof. Oloyede used the platform to urge schools, parents, and candidates to reject malpractice and focus on legitimate preparations.

“The UTME is not a school-based exam. Schools chasing ‘high-score glory’ at all costs must stop. Instead, they should focus on genuinely educating their students,” he emphasized.

JAMB warned candidates to avoid platforms offering shortcuts to academic success, reiterating that the Board is committed to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education admission process.

The sting operation is being hailed by education stakeholders as a landmark move in digital examination integrity enforcement, and a wake-up call for all involved in the UTME ecosystem.