In Toronto, Canada, Amaka—a diligent Nigerian engineer—decided to invest in a warm and growing market: her homeland. She stumbled across a seemingly irresistible land offer in Lekki: bargain price, instant ownership promise, and “guaranteed future township.” Her heart leapt—but a voice of caution stopped her. At one point, she overheard her husband discussing how to avoid land scams in Nigeria with another Nigerian friend. She took a snap decision since she didn’t want to become a victim of these land scams.

Amaka insisted to only pay upon verification. While abroad, she had the C of O and survey plan independently checked, hired a licensed real estate agent registered with NIESV, and arranged live drone photos. When the seller pressed her to wire funds immediately, she paused. That very property turned out to have multiple pending court claims. Instead, she pivoted to a verified plot through House and Land Naija—complete with clean documents and legal backing. Today, her land appreciates steadily, and she has full confidence in her investment.

Amaka’s journey illustrates the reality for Nigerians living in the Diaspora: investing in Nigeria’s rising real estate is possible, but only if you are aware of and take proactive measures to prevent frauds. Try to abide by the following guidelines to steer clear of these land frauds.

📌 Recognize the Main Scam Types

• Fake landlords & deposit fraud: Scammers advertise rentals or sales and vanish after you pay an upfront deposit.
• Vacant land schemes: Multiple people sell the same plot, or the property doesn’t exist at all.
• Wire fraud / payment diversion: Fraudsters hijack legitimate email threads to send fake bank details and steal money.

🔴 Spot the Red Flags Early

• Offers that are too good to be true.
• Pressure tactics to send funds immediately.
• Unregistered agents or personal bank accounts used for payments.

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READ MORE: Why Building in Nigeria While Abroad is Easier Than You Think

📄 Verify Documentation Thoroughly

• Request physical copies of:
  • Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)
  • Deed of Assignment
  • Gazette
  • Survey Plan
• Cross-check with land registry in the property’s state.

🤝 Work Only with Verified Professionals

• Choose licensed agents registered with NIESV or ESVARBON.
• Confirm company registration on CAC portal.
• Engage legal professionals to review contracts.

📉 Use Modern Remote Verification Tools

• Use drone or geo-tagged footage of property.
• Request live video inspections via WhatsApp or Zoom.
• Request pictures with timestamps/geolocation proof.

💵 Secure Payment Practices

• Avoid informal transfers or personal accounts.
• Use escrow accounts or corporate accounts.
• Always collect official receipts.

📸 Image Prompt: Payment verification form with receipt being issued by a professional real estate company in an office setting.

🛠️ Investigate Ownership & History

• Ask for affidavits proving ownership.
• Conduct litigation or lien checks.
• Interview neighbors or community leaders.

⚡️ Never Be Rushed

• Take your time. If you’re being rushed, walk away.
• No legit seller will deny due diligence time.

✅ Why These Tips Matter to You

Benefit	Why It Matters
Peace of mind	Invest with full confidence from overseas
Financial safety	Avoid scams and invalid ownership claims
ROI protection	Legit investments appreciate over time
Legacy assurance	Build generational wealth in Nigeria

IN OTHER NEWS: Real estate conference empowers professionals with wealth strategies

🌟 Some True Life Stories

• Olumide in London: Almost lost money to a fake developer but was saved by insisting on verifying documents.
• Chinwe in Abuja: Renter scammed out of her deposit now works only with agents vetted by House and Land Naija.

🔝 Conclusion

Back in Toronto, Amaka has been reflecting: she chose caution, not impulse. She chose documentation, not hype. She took note of how to avoid land scams in Nigeria long before she got that opportunity to buy a property in Nigeria. With House and Land Naija as her trusted partner, her real estate investment is safe and thriving.

Now it’s your turn. Whether you’re in London, Lagos, Toronto, or Abuja, you too can invest in Nigeria’s booming property market—safely and confidently. Let due diligence, trusted partners, and verified documentation give you the upper hand.

📢 Connect with House and Land Naija Today

• 🌐 Website: https://houseandlandnaija.com
• 📍 Canada Office: 102-30 El-Tassi Drive, Winnipeg MB, Canada
• 📞 Phone (Canada): +1 (431) 990-3777
• 📞 Phone (Nigeria): 090 880 739 63

Join the thousands of Nigerians—home and abroad—who’ve secured legitimate, high-value property deals.