Ninety four candidates who were already facing the cancellation of their 2026 UTME registrations for soliciting illegal score enhancement have been defrauded a second time by the same fraudster who originally scammed them, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has revealed.

JAMB Registrar Professor Is haq Oloyede disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja that Emmanuel Praise Akataka, a member of a syndicate previously arrested for criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft and online fraud, had returned to target the same candidates after being released on bail.

In his first scheme, Akataka operated a WhatsApp platform under the identity "Official Frederick," through which he advertised fictitious score inflation services to UTME candidates. No fewer than 94 candidates paid for the non existent service. The Board gave the affected candidates a hearing before a special committee and subsequently obtained ministerial approval for the cancellation of their registrations.

Following his release on bail, Akataka re established contact with the same 94 candidates. This time operating under the alias "Sir Frederick," he demanded ₦70,000 from each, falsely claiming he could prevent the cancellation of their registrations through his alleged contacts inside JAMB.

Investigations further revealed that Akataka initially used his father's bank account, registered in the name of Vincent Okpowho Akataka, to receive payments. When he suspected the account could expose him, he opened a SmartCash account in the name of Zainab Rafiu, falsely presenting the individual as a JAMB Director to give the scam additional credibility.

JAMB described the pattern as deeply troubling, noting that candidates who had already demonstrated willingness to seek an unfair advantage made themselves easy targets a second time. The Board reiterated that no individual or group can influence UTME results, manipulate registration records or provide any form of special assistance under any circumstances.

For Candidates preparing for the 2026 UTME, the case is a direct warning: anyone promising score enhancement or registration protection in exchange for payment is running a scam, and engaging with such offers carries consequences that extend well beyond losing money.