A slick Instagram page doesn’t make you a real estate professional in Lagos. Fraudsters will often copy photographs of properties, pretend to be a genuine company and advertise land or flats they do not own. The safest response is not to suspect every agent, but to check in a disciplined way.
Begin with the regulator
Ask for the agent’s Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) registration details. Search for the name or company on the official LASRERA platform and check that the registration is up to date and matches the person you are dealing with. Verify independently; a registration number on a flier or WhatsApp profile is not enough.
If the agent claims to be an estate surveyor and valuer, you must check with the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) to confirm their professional status.
The registration of a company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is useful to confirm that the company exists, but CAC registration does not mean that the company owns a property, has a valid title or is authorised to sell it.
Check the property, not just the agent
Request to see original or reasonably verifiable title documents. This could be a Certificate of Occupancy, Governor’s Consent, Deed of Assignment or other registered instruments, depending on the property. Consider photocopies, screenshots and “allocation papers” as leads, not proof.
Do your own search at the Lagos State Lands Registry or with a competent property lawyer. The search should confirm ownership, encumbrances, acquisition status and whether the property is in a government scheme or committed area. Do not go with the agent’s favourite lawyer, surveyor or ‘link’ at the registry. Independence is important.
Buy undeveloped land: Get a professional survey and check the planning status with the relevant Lagos planning authorities. Site visits are critical, but do not indicate ownership. A conman can show you land owned by someone else.
Follow the money trail
Urgency is a huge red flag. Watch out for claims that “the price expires today”, that there is another buyer waiting, or that you have to pay before you inspect. Never pay into a personal account. Payment should be made on the basis of written evidence, confirmed title and legal advice.
Ask for a formal receipt, agency agreement and clear breakdown of all fees, including commission, legal charges, development levies and service charges.
Be aware of surprise “documentation fees”, “plot reservation fees” or “inspection fees”.
Check the story for holes
A reputable agent will be able to give you a verifiable office address and company details, proof that the owner has the authority to sell or let the property, and consistent responses about the property’s location and title. Cross-check the listing against ads from independent sources and if possible speak to the owner or developer directly.
If it doesn’t feel right … quit. Keep chat logs, receipts, account information and documents and report suspected fraud to LASRERA and the Nigeria Police. Prevention is cheaper than litigation for a big purchase, and in Lagos, property verification is not bureaucracy, it is protection.