Suspect Admits Defrauding Over 131 Candidates In UTME Fraud

Emmanuel Akataka, a 26-year-old suspect linked to a growing online examination fraud network, has come under fresh scrutiny after admitting he masterminded a scam that allegedly defrauded more than 131 UTME candidates while posing as a “helper” who could boost their scores. He also publicly begged for forgiveness after his re-arrest by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.

The confession was made on Thursday, March 26, 2026, and reported on Friday, March 27, 2026, as JAMB intensified its anti-malpractice crackdown.

Akataka admitted that he returned to fraud despite a previous arrest and release, exposing what appears to be a disturbing cycle of weak deterrence and digital criminal opportunism.

This is not just a crime story; it is a brutal indictment of how desperation, weak ethics, and the obsession with “special centres” and miracle scores continue to poison Nigeria’s education system.

JAMB said he allegedly made far more than he claimed, using AI-generated posts, fake identities, and multiple bank accounts to deceive vulnerable candidates..