Fake Admission: Applicants Allegedly Lose Millions in Baze University Scam
By Akin Alade
An alleged fake admission syndicate targeting prospective students of Baze University, Abuja, has left several applicants counting millions of naira in losses, according to findings by the Nigeria Standard Magazine.
The investigation revealed that sus
pected fraudsters allegedly operate a website bearing the identity of Baze University, using it to process applications and issue purported admission letters to unsuspecting applicants.
According to victims and sources who spoke to the magazine, some applicants reportedly received admission offers within hours of submitting their applications. The alleged fraudsters would subsequently call to confirm that the applicants had received their admission letters.
The applicants were later allegedly contacted by individuals posing as university officials and instructed to make additional payments, with some reportedly threatened that their admissions would be revoked if they failed to pay.
One of the cases uncovered involved a prospective Medicine student who allegedly paid about N7 million before travelling to the university for registration. The family reportedly discovered upon arrival that the student’s name was not on the institution’s official admission records.
Another woman, who requested anonymity, also claimed to have fallen victim to the alleged scheme and said she had contacted the university authorities over the matter.
A source familiar with the complaints told the Nigeria Standard Magazine that the university had received several reports from alleged victims and had referred the matter to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
The allegations raise concerns over the growing use of fake websites, admission letters and impersonated officials to defraud students seeking university admission.
The Nigeria Standard Magazine made efforts to obtain the response of Baze University through its Director of Communications, but the efforts were unsuccessful as of the time of publication. The university’s response will be accommodated if received.
Prospective students are advised to verify admission offers directly through the university’s official channels before making tuition or other payments to individuals or unfamiliar accounts.
