This was according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday.

This operation follows a joint effort between the police and JAMB announced in April to combat such online scams. Both agencies had warned against the activities of perpetrators using fake websites to scam candidates applying for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

These fake websites tricked unsuspecting candidates into revealing personal information like registration numbers and email addresses.

According to Adejobi, the suspects gained illegal access to JAMB’s Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and e-facility. They allegedly altered and deleted real admission letters, replacing them with fabricated ones. These fake letters were then used to secure admission into institutions and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programmes.

The statement read, “Following the previous press briefing by the Nigeria Police Force and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board where the general public was assured of the resolve of the duo in putting all hands on deck to ensure the suspects behind the proliferation of various fake websites for JAMB registration, and the falsification of fake JAMB admission letters, and decimate the menace of forgery, system interference and schemes operating phishing websites to defraud unsuspecting JAMB candidates, the NPF-NCCC has arrested three suspects in connection with the case of Conspiracy, Computer Related Forgery and System Interference contrary to sections 8, 13 and 27 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015 as amended.

“The suspects, namely Effa Leonard Mpama, Ibang Ernest Jerome and Eshiet Odotukana Benson, all male of ages 34, 38 and 38 respectively and others at large, belong to a syndicate who intentionally and knowingly conspired and procured amongst themselves services that enabled them to illegally access JAMB restricted Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and e-facility respectively, and proceeded to alter and delete other candidates’ previous admission letters and inputted fake details resulting in inauthentic admission letter which were acted upon as genuine to secure admissions into tertiary institutions and mobilisation for National Youth Service Corps programme, thus compromising the entire JAMB admission process with its attendant consequences.

“Upon arrest the suspects revealed their various degrees of involvement in the conspiracy, corroborating the already available overwhelming evidence. The duo of Effa Leonard Mpama and Ibang Ernest Jerome and others at large collect personal details of the prospective candidates and forward same to Mr. Eshiet Odotukana Benson who gets CAPS links from Daniel and Chris; Messrs. Daniel and Chris still at large are working in the JAMB Computer Based Test Centers domiciled in FAN and UNICAL respectively in Calabar, Cross River State.”

The statement further revealed the involvement of a separate syndicate in Imo State responsible for creating the fake websites, adding that forensic analysis led to the identification of two “principal threat actors” behind these operations.

“In more developments, digital Forensic analysis led to the recovery of 4 fake domains, websites and 2 principal threat actors of a syndicate in Imọ State behind the creation of the fake domains and other associated websites operated by them. Similarly, the third suspect, Mr Eshiet, who has access to the CAPS links unlike the duo above, proceeds to any CBT centre and opens the jamb e-facility with a login detail of a candidate with previous admission and thereafter superimposes the new details collected to create a fake admission letter”, the statement added.

Police Inspector General, Olukayode Egbetokun, commended the NPF National Cyber Crime Centre for their efforts.

He stressed the force’s dedication to safeguarding citizens in both the physical and digital worlds.

The suspects are expected to face charges in court after investigations conclude.