Avoiding Property Fraud and Scams in Nigeria

When online, searching for your next property, you should be able to feel safe and secure without fear of falling victim to fraudsters. Please take a moment to take a look at the pointers below to help you to be safe and secure in your property searches and transactions.

See the property first before parting with any money

• Always ensure that you visit, see and view (i.e. inspect) the property you are interested in before paying or parting with any money. If you are unable to visit and view the property, kindly ask someone you trust to do so on your behalf.
• When viewing a property, always try and ensure that you attend the viewing with someone trusted (perhaps a friend,colleague or family member) to ensure your safety and security during the viewings.

Contact advertiser using PropertyLocationsNigeria

• Always use the facilities provided by PropertyLocationsNigeria to contact the advertiser. So when enquiring about a property you have seen and are interested in on PropertyLocationsNigeria, to email the advertiser, always use the 'Request Details' button.
• To call the advertiser, you should always use the telephone number provided on PropertyLocationsNigeria.
• Both the email of the advertiser and the phone number will be directly next to or below the property. The 'Request Details' button will open the PropertyLocationsNigeria 'Contact advertiser' form (headed - 'Send email to - ' plus the name of the advertiser). These are two clear signs that you are contacting an authentic PropertyLocationsNigeria advertiser.

Price too good to be true?

• It is a known fact that vendors and landlords will always price according to the competition in the local market so if the price of a property looks too good to be true, it probably is.
• So, if a property is offered at a much cheaper price than expected, ask yourself why. Is it because there is some issue with the property that is not being disclosed or? Remember, sometimes, it is always better to trust your instincts in situations like this and walk away...

Upfront requests for payment or private information

• Be wary and sceptical of upfront requests for money or payments or any requests asking for personal details. Also beware of any sense of utmost urgency on an advert or when you contact the agent... Do not be pressurised into transferring large sums of money. Be especially sceptical if you're asked to transfer any money via a money transfer service like Western Union or Moneygram.

Ensure you or your representative have seen all relevant paperwork first

• Always make sure you see relevant and genuine paperwork before you commit to a decision. Always endeavour to use a lawyer or other qualified agent to complete the transaction (whether sale or rent) on your behalf so as to ensure that the necessary due diligence has been carried out.

Beware of 'phishing' emails

• These are emails that are sent by fraudsters and criminals that look and feel like they are from a legitimate organisation of which you already have an dealings with. The intention is to trick you into parting with sensitive or confidential information, such as a username or password or other such information, by clicking on a link to confirm your details. If you do, you may give a criminal valuable personal information which is then used to defraud you.
• Please note that legitimate companies will never ask for your password details via an email or at all and since your personal details are already known to them if you've had dealings with them before, they would not ask you for it via email also.
• Other tips include watching out for urgent warnings, bad spelling and impersonal greetings. If in doubt, type the website into your search bar. This will take you straight to the company's website, rather than relying on links provided in emails.

Make sure your electronic device is protected by adopting the tips below

• Ensure your electronic device's security software is up to date, including anti-virus protection, anti-spyware software and a firewall (where possible).
• Encrypt and secure your wireless network to protect against eavesdroppers and freeloaders.
• Set very secure passwords using at least a combination of letters and numbers and non-alpha numeric characters.
• Block spam emails and use an up to date web browser and never open emails or links from unknown sources.