How to Spot a Fake Property Listing in Nigeria

Finding a new home is exciting—but in Nigeria’s fast-growing online property market, it can also be risky. With the rise of digital platforms, more fake listings are popping up, tricking innocent people into paying for houses that don’t exist or don’t belong to the advertiser. At Shelta, we take listing verification seriously, but it’s still important to know the signs of a scam.

One of the biggest red flags is unrealistically low prices. If a 3-bedroom flat in a high-demand area is going for half the normal rent, there’s probably something wrong. Scammers often use cheap pricing to attract desperate house seekers who are eager to pay before thinking twice.

Another warning sign is when the agent or "owner" refuses to meet in person or show the property physically. Some will even claim they’re abroad and need you to “secure” the apartment with a payment first. If someone insists you should pay without seeing the place, that’s your cue to walk away.

You should also be careful of poorly written descriptions and blurred or reused photos. Many fake listings are copied from older, legitimate ones. Use reverse image search if something feels off, or better yet, use a platform like Shelta that manually checks its listings and gives you direct contact with verified agents.

Always make sure there is a valid agreement before transferring money. Ask for proper documentation and don’t rush. A real agent will be happy to provide receipts and answer your questions.

At Shelta, we’re working hard to create a safe, trusted space for property seekers in Nigeria. Every listing goes through a basic review, and we’re building more tools to protect our users every day.

The bottom line? If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay sharp, ask questions, and only use trusted platforms like Shelta to find your next home.