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Property scams in Lagos represent a significant threat to buyers and renters, with hundreds of new fraud cases reported annually and billions of naira lost to scammers.
As of September 2025, Lagos faces substantial property fraud challenges with approximately 400-500 new cases reported to authorities in the past 12 months alone, affecting over 20% of property seekers and resulting in billions in losses across the Nigerian real estate market.
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Lagos property market faces widespread fraud with 400-500 new cases reported annually to LASRERA and other authorities.
Over 20% of property buyers and renters experience scam attempts, with average losses ranging from ₦300,000 for renters to ₦100 million for major land purchases.
| Scam Category | Frequency | Average Loss (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Fake Agent Scams | Most Common | 300,000 - 2,000,000 |
| Land/Omo-Onile Fraud | 40% of land disputes | 2,000,000 - 100,000,000 |
| Forged Documents | 18% of submissions | 500,000 - 50,000,000 |
| Social Media Rental Scams | Rapidly Growing | 300,000 - 500,000 |
| Off-plan Developer Fraud | High in Lekki/Ajah | 5,000,000 - 280,000,000 |
| Double Sales | Common in New Developments | 1,000,000 - 50,000,000 |
| Document Verification Skipping | Major Risk Factor | Variable |
How many property fraud cases have been officially reported to the Lagos State government or police in the last 12 months?
As of September 2025, approximately 400-500 new property fraud cases have been officially reported to Lagos State authorities in the past 12 months.
These cases are handled by the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and local police units. The reported cases form part of the total 1,702 real estate fraud complaints that LASRERA has processed since its establishment in 2020.
The government has successfully recovered over ₦478 million and 38 properties for victims during 2024-2025 alone. Each year, hundreds of new cases enter mediation, court proceedings, or investigation processes, demonstrating the scale of property fraud challenges in Lagos.
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What percentage of property buyers or renters in Lagos say they have personally experienced a scam attempt in the past year?
Current data indicates that at least 20-25% of property buyers and renters in Lagos have personally experienced a scam attempt in the last 12 months.
This means over 1 in 5 property transactions involve some form of fraud, misrepresentation, or illegal documentation. The percentage has remained consistently high despite increased government enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
Survey data from real estate associations and consumer protection agencies supports these figures, with some areas experiencing even higher rates of attempted fraud. The problem affects both residential buyers and rental seekers, though the types of scams and financial losses vary significantly between these groups.
What are the most common types of property scams currently happening in Lagos?
Lagos property market faces several persistent scam types that target different segments of buyers and renters.
Fake agents or "ghost" agents with no legitimate offices or credentials represent the most widespread problem. These fraudsters often operate through social media or temporary phone numbers, collecting fees before disappearing.
Omo-Onile extortion and double sales by landowning families continue to plague property buyers, with over 40% of land disputes involving this type of fraud. Traditional landowners sometimes sell the same plot to multiple buyers or demand additional payments after initial transactions.
Forged or fake property documents, including Certificates of Occupancy and survey plans, are frequently used in transactions. LASRERA reports that nearly 18% of documents submitted for verification are found to be forged or fake.
Social media rental scams, duplicate listings, and off-plan developer fraud are rapidly growing categories, particularly targeting younger buyers who conduct property searches online.
How much money, on average, do victims lose in a typical property scam in Lagos today?
Property scam losses in Lagos vary dramatically depending on the type of fraud and victim profile.
Typical rental scam victims lose between ₦300,000 and ₦500,000, usually involving fake agent fees, deposits, or advance rent payments. These scams target tenants seeking accommodation in popular areas.
Land and property purchase fraud involves much larger sums, with victims losing anywhere from ₦2 million to ₦100 million per incident. High-profile cases documented by authorities have reached as high as ₦280 million in single transactions.
Between January and July 2025, estimated total losses to real estate scams across Nigeria reached ₦16.2 billion, with Lagos accounting for the largest share of these losses due to its position as the commercial capital.
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Which areas or neighborhoods in Lagos have the highest number of reported property scams?
Specific Lagos areas show higher concentrations of property fraud reports based on government and law enforcement data.
High-scam areas include Lekki, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki, Gbagada, Akoka, Alapere, Ajao Estate, and Epe, particularly for land scams and off-plan developer fraud. These areas attract significant investment interest, making them targets for sophisticated scammers.
Estate developments in rapidly expanding zones, especially Lekki and Epe corridors, are overrepresented in complaint databases. The combination of high property values and ongoing development creates opportunities for multiple types of fraud.
Parts of Ikeja also feature prominently in fraud reports, particularly involving fake agent operations and rental scams targeting the business district's commercial appeal.
How many registered real estate agents are currently operating in Lagos, and how many unlicensed or unverified agents are estimated to be active?
As of September 2025, LASRERA has 925 officially registered individuals and organizations operating as real estate agents in Lagos.
An additional 2,550 applications are currently pending registration or enrollment with the regulatory authority, indicating significant interest in legitimate practice.
However, estimates suggest up to 2,000 or more unlicensed or unverified agents continue operating illegally in the Lagos market. The government recently declared unregistered real estate practice illegal and has ramped up enforcement activities against unauthorized operators.
The disparity between registered and unregistered agents creates substantial consumer protection challenges, as unlicensed operators often engage in fraudulent activities without regulatory oversight or accountability.
What steps has the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) taken in 2024–2025 to reduce property scams?
LASRERA has implemented comprehensive enforcement and consumer protection measures during 2024-2025.
The authority enforced mandatory agent registration and launched mass crackdowns against unregistered practitioners, with unregistered agents now subject to prosecution under Lagos State law.
LASRERA partnered with the EFCC and local government councils to investigate and prosecute fraud cases, while hosting extensive consumer education campaigns across Lagos communities.
Regulatory reforms include capping legal and agency fees at 10% of property values and banning multi-year upfront rent collections that often facilitate fraud. The authority also introduced electronic registry checks and accelerated mediation processes for reported fraud cases.
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How many prosecutions or convictions for property fraud have been successfully completed in Lagos in the past two years?
Lagos courts have secured multiple high-profile convictions for property fraud during 2024-2025.
Notable convictions include sentences of 8-17 years for property fraud involving ₦62 million to ₦78 million, demonstrating the severe penalties now imposed on convicted fraudsters.
At least 8 ongoing court cases are currently proceeding through Federal High Court, State High Court, and Magistrate Court systems. Dozens of convictions for major property frauds have been completed since 2024, with successful prosecutions handled by EFCC and state prosecutors.
The conviction rate has improved significantly due to enhanced collaboration between LASRERA, EFCC, and judicial authorities, though many cases still take considerable time to complete due to court backlogs.
How easy is it for a buyer or renter to verify land titles or property documents with the Lagos State Land Registry right now?
Lagos State Land Registry has modernized its verification systems to make document checking more accessible for property seekers.
Electronic search systems now provide verification results within minutes for buyers and renters who utilize the official channels. The digital platform allows real-time checking of land titles, Certificates of Occupancy, and property ownership records.
However, many property transactions still proceed without proper verification, allowing scams to persist when buyers skip this crucial step. LASRERA and the land registry actively encourage all property seekers to verify agent registration, title authenticity, and legal complaint histories before making payments.
The verification process is straightforward for those who use it, but consumer education remains necessary to ensure all buyers understand and utilize these protective systems.
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What specific red flags should property seekers in Lagos watch for to avoid being scammed?
Lagos property seekers should watch for several critical warning signs that indicate potential fraud.
1. **Pressure for immediate cash decisions** - Legitimate transactions allow time for due diligence and formal documentation 2. **Unexplained additional fees** - "Foundation fees," "settlement fees," or other charges not in standard contracts 3. **Refusal to allow document verification** - Honest sellers welcome registry checks and agent credential verification 4. **Poor quality or mismatched documents** - Fake title documents often contain inconsistent names, dates, or addresses 5. **Unrealistic social media deals** - Properties marketed exclusively on social platforms with below-market pricing 6. **Payment before property viewing** - Legitimate transactions never require full payment without physical inspection 7. **Unverifiable agent credentials** - No LASRERA certificate, no traceable office address, or temporary contact informationAny combination of these red flags should prompt immediate verification through official channels before proceeding with any transaction.
How many legal or consumer protection complaints related to property scams are currently pending in Lagos courts?
As of September 2025, at least 8 major property scam cases are currently pending in Lagos court systems.
Many additional cases are part of ongoing mediation efforts managed by LASRERA, EFCC, and consumer protection agencies before reaching formal court proceedings.
The mediation approach has proven effective for resolving smaller disputes and recovering funds without lengthy court processes. However, complex fraud cases involving large sums or multiple victims typically require formal prosecution through the court system.
Case backlogs remain a challenge, though dedicated commercial courts and specialized prosecutors have improved processing times for property fraud cases compared to previous years.
What practical measures can an ordinary buyer or renter in Lagos take today to protect themselves from falling victim to scams?
Lagos property seekers can implement specific protective measures to avoid fraud.
Only work through registered LASRERA agents or agencies by verifying credentials on the official LASRERA portal before any engagement. Always check and confirm property documents with the Lagos State Land Registry before paying any money.
Insist on proper receipts, legal title documentation, and signed contracts verified by reputable lawyers experienced in Lagos property law. Avoid paying by cash or social media transfers, instead using traceable payment channels that provide legal recourse.
Report suspected fraud immediately to LASRERA, EFCC, or consumer protection agencies rather than attempting to resolve issues privately. Document every step of the transaction process, keeping records of all communications, agreements, and payments.
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Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
Lagos property market faces significant fraud challenges, but government enforcement and consumer protection measures have substantially improved.
Property seekers who utilize official verification channels and work only with registered agents can successfully navigate the market while avoiding the majority of scam attempts.
Sources
- Punch - Lagos Government Recovers N773.6m, 38 Properties
- Nairametrics - Lagos Recovers N478.13 Million from Real Estate Fraud
- LinkedIn - LASRERA vs Real Estate Scams in Lagos
- Nigeria Real Estate Blog - Real Estate Scams Nigeria 2025
- Punch - Lagos, Ogun Face 500,000 Land Scam Incidents Annually
- Rent House Surulere - How to Avoid Land Scam in Lagos
- LinkedIn - Real Estate Scams Lagos Common Red Flags
- Guardian Nigeria - How Real Estate Firms Fleece Property Buyers
- EFCC - Lagos Court Jails Fraudster 17 Years for N78.7m Property Fraud
- EFCC - Lagos Court Jails Man Eight Years for N62m Land Fraud