UNAM exam fraud scheme: test-takers impersonated with AI use
Two men were detained in Mexico City for allegedly charging university entrance exam aspirants to take their UNAM admissions test on their behalf, reportedly using AI to answer questions. The fraud scheme operated in May and June 2026 from a prep academy and led UNAM to cancel its online exam and conduct a replacement in-person examination.
What happened
Two men, Edgar 'N' and David 'N', were detained in Mexico City on fraud charges for allegedly charging aspirants to take the UNAM entrance exam on their behalf during May and June 2026.
The fraud scheme operated from facilities of the academy 'Más Preparación,' where the suspects used computers to answer exams in place of test-takers and simulated their personal participation.
UNAM detected nine aspirants whose exams showed matching connection data and other irregularities, leading to the investigation.
Reported impact
The online entrance exam was cancelled due to irregularities including AI use and atypical results, forcing UNAM to conduct a replacement in-person control exam.
UNAM accepted 49,074 first-year students for the 2026–2027 academic cycle through the replacement presential examination.
Index analysis
AI was reportedly used to generate answers to exam questions, enabling impersonators to submit responses without the knowledge or participation of actual test-takers.
Governance controls
UNAM implemented a presential control exam in response to detecting irregularities and provided the Fiscalía with information on suspects' activities.
A judge of control determined on Friday to open a formal fraud investigation against the two detained men.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.