The police have apprehended three members of a syndicate specializing in falsifying admission letters from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). This was revealed by the Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumiyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday.
The suspects, Effa Leonard Mpama (34), Ibang Ernest Jerome (38), and Eshiet Odotukana Benson (38), were arrested for conspiracy, computer-related forgery, and system interference, in violation of sections 8, 13, and 27 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015, as amended.
The syndicate reportedly accessed JAMB’s restricted Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and e-facility illegally. They altered and deleted legitimate admission records, replacing them with falsified details to produce fake admission letters. These forged documents were then used to secure admissions into tertiary institutions and facilitate mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, thereby compromising the integrity of the JAMB admission process.
According to the police, the suspects admitted their roles in the conspiracy, corroborating the substantial evidence already gathered. Effa Leonard Mpama and Ibang Ernest Jerome, along with others still at large, collected personal details of prospective candidates and forwarded them to Eshiet Odotukana Benson. Benson received CAPS links from accomplices Daniel and Chris, who are still at large and work at JAMB Computer Based Test (CBT) centers in Calabar, Cross River State.
Further digital forensic analysis uncovered four fake domains and websites linked to a syndicate in Imo State, which was responsible for creating and operating these fraudulent sites. Benson, using access to CAPS links, manipulated JAMB e-facility login details to create fake admission letters by superimposing new details over those of previously admitted candidates.
The police PRO stated that the suspects will face charges in court upon the completion of the investigation.
