CSA warns students of BECE result and SHS/TVET placement scam

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned students who sat for the just-ended 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to be wary of BECE results and second-cycle school placement fraudulent schemes targeting them.

In a statement sighted by Pretertiary.com, the Security Authority said it has taken notice that some individuals are promising to change or upgrade Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results and school placements for a fee.

“Individuals, purporting to represent official educational bodies or with ‘inside access’ to the results and placement systems, are approaching graduates, promising to change or upgrade their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results, including changing their school placements for a fee,” the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) stated.

According to the Authority, the rogue individuals impersonate officials from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), using fake profiles on social media and convincing stories to appear legitimate.

“The threat actors engage the graduates, claiming to have the ability to alter examination results and change school placements for a fee. Once payment is received, the fraudsters cease communication with the victims,” it said.

The Security Authority added, “BECE results released by the relevant examination body are final and cannot be altered by any third party. No individual or group has the power to alter results or influence school placements.

Engaging with these individuals can lead to financial loss and potentially expose personal information to identity theft and further fraud.

Disregard messages or calls that promise to modify examination results, upgrade scores, or alter school placements.

Always verify results through the official West African Examinations Council (WAEC) portal or your educational institution. Do not trust third-party claims or unofficial communication channels.”

A total of 590,309 BECE candidates this year qualified for second-cycle school (SHS/TVET) placement. Out of this, 483,800 were placed automatically, while 107,000 secured schools through self-placement.

According to the Ministry of Education, of the 483,800 BECE graduates who secured automatic second-cycle school placement, 234,783, representing 48.6% were boys, and 248,038, representing 51.4% were girls.

It indicated that 82 per cent (82%) of qualified students who sat for the 2025 edition of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) have been placed in their first-choice second-cycle schools.

This year, a total of 603,328 candidates, comprising 297,250 males and 306,078 females, from nineteen thousand, five hundred and five (19,505) Junior High Schools (JHSs) entered for the school examination.

This includes seventy-two (72 ) candidates with visual impairment, two hundred and thirty-nine (239) with hearing impairment, and one hundred and sixty-one (161) candidates with other test accommodation needs.

The examination was conducted at two thousand, two hundred and thirty-seven (2,237 ) centres across the country. Out of the total number, two thousand, five hundred and twenty-six (2,526) candidates were absent.

The BECE for Private Candidates recorded a total entry figure of one thousand, three hundred and ninety (1,661) candidates. This was made up of eight hundred and fifty-eight (858) males and eight hundred and three (803 ) females.

Fifteen (15) centres, mostly in the regional capitals, were used for the BECE for Private Candidates. Out of the total number of candidates who entered for the examination, fifty-seven (57) were absent.