Detecting common scams

Fraudsters and scammers are present everywhere, moreso online. Real estate scams remain one of the biggest risks for property buyers, tenants, and investors in Nigeria. Fraudsters use sophisticated tactics to deceive unsuspecting people, leading to financial loss and emotional stress. Please familiarise yourself with the scams listed below, so you can detect when someone is trying to defraud or scam you online during your property buying or renting experience. As we become aware of new scams, we will add them to this section so you are aware.

Common Real Estate Scams in Nigeria

• Fake Property Listings — Scammers post attractive but non‑existent properties to collect inspection fees or deposits.
• Multiple Rent Collection — Fraudsters rent the same apartment to several tenants.
• Omo‑Onile Land Grabbing — Traditional land owners resell the same land multiple times or demand illegal fees.
• Fake Agents & Unregistered Agencies — Individuals pose as agents without any registration or office.
• Forged Documents — Fake C of O, survey plans, or allocation letters.
• Payment Before Verification — Scammers pressure buyers to pay before due diligence.

Verification scam

• Someone (person or a company) may contact you about a property that is immediatey available to let because the owner has travelled abroad permanently. This person will claim that the property is priced significantly below market value in order to secure suitable tenants quickly.
• In order to authenticate and make it look like it's a genuine process, a fake PropertyLocationsNigeria verification service has been created. The interested party (i.e. prospective tenant) is provided with a web page and emails which are designed to look like they are from PropertyLocationsNigeria claiming they have been 'approved' as a vendor by us.
• Please note that you should immediately discontinue any interaction with such a person or company as PropertyLocationsNigeria does not offer a verification service and neither do we accept money directly from tenants or buyers.

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.

Phishing calls, text messages and social media contact

• Like phishing emails, phishing calls, text messages and forms of social media contact (facebook, whatsapp, twitter etc...) are made by someone pretending to be from a legitimate organisation.
• Typically, these calls and text messages will result in a requested action, such as a request for bank card details in order to make a refund or a request to click on a link in the text message, to reactivate an account or to advertise a property on site.
• If you are unsure about a call or a text message or any social media contact, do not provide any details to the caller.