How To Avoid Fake Agents In Lagos — 7 Red Flags to Watch
Written for
Nigeria
Lagos has some of the most active real estate activity in Africa — and unfortunately, some of the most active property scammers too. Here are 7 red flags that the agent you're dealing with is not legitimate.
1. They ask for payment before showing you the property
No legitimate agent will ask you to pay any money — not agency fee, not caution deposit, not "inspection fee" — before you have physically visited and confirmed the property. If anyone asks for upfront payment before a viewing, stop immediately.
2. The price is suspiciously below market rate
A 2-bedroom flat in Lekki offered at ₦300,000/year when the market rate is ₦1.5 million is almost certainly fake. Scammers use below-market prices to create urgency and rush victims into paying.
3. The agent won't meet you in person
They're always travelling, overseas, or send a "representative." Real agents meet clients face to face.
4. Listing photos look too professional or appear elsewhere online
Do a reverse image search on the property photos. Scammers frequently steal images from foreign real estate sites. If images appear elsewhere, it's a fake listing.
5. They can only communicate via WhatsApp
A legitimate agent should be reachable by phone call and have a verifiable office address or registration number.
6. They create urgency to pay immediately
"Someone else is viewing tonight, you need to pay now to hold it." This is a classic scam tactic.
7. They have no LASRERA or ESVARBON registration
Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) registers genuine agents. Ask for their registration number and verify it before proceeding.
How SignalMe protects you
SignalMe only connects clients with verified agents. You post what you want, agents come to you. Never pay anything until you've physically inspected the property.