A 2025 UTME candidate has come forward to expose a dangerous scam where fraudsters are sending fake warning messages to candidates, falsely accusing them of engaging in examination malpractice and demanding money to “resolve” the fabricated issue.
Owurong Metong Awaji, who shared his experience, revealed that he received a suspicious message from someone pretending to be a JAMB official named “Mr. Usman Olowale.” The message appeared to come from a number mimicking JAMB’s official shortcode 55019, claiming that JAMB had detected his involvement in malpractice.
How the Scam Happened
Owurong explained that the message instructed him to contact the sender immediately. Out of concern, he responded, only to be told that he must pay ₦40,000 to “clear his name” and avoid supposed penalties.
“I was shocked because I knew I had not done anything wrong,” he said.
“When I messaged him, he asked me to pay ₦40,000 for it to be resolved. It’s a scam oooooo. Please don’t reply them.”
Fortunately, Owurong quickly realized it was a scam and decided to alert other candidates before they fall victim to similar tactics.
JAMB’s Position on the Issue
JAMB has repeatedly warned that it does not send messages demanding money from candidates for any reason.
All communications from JAMB come through official channels only and candidates are never asked to pay money privately to anyone for so-called malpractice clearance.
Earlier, JAMB had alerted the public about fraudsters exploiting the 55019 shortcode by manipulating it to send fake warning messages targeting candidates who may already be anxious about their upcoming exams.
What Candidates Should Do
Candidates are strongly advised to:
- Ignore suspicious messages claiming JAMB has found issues with their records
- Never pay money to any individual claiming they can “fix” a problem
- Report any suspicious activity to the nearest JAMB office or appropriate security authorities
- Trust only information shared through JAMB’s official website or verified platforms
Final Warning
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated in the buildup to the UTME. Candidates must stay alert, remain calm, and avoid panic reactions that could lead to unnecessary loss of money.
The 2025 UTME officially begins on April 25, 2025, and JAMB has assured candidates that only official instructions matter when it comes to their examination and admission process.
Have you received a similar message? Share your experience below to help others stay safe.
Stay tuned for more verified JAMB 2025 updates.