Discovering you have been defrauded in a property transaction is devastating. But what you do in the hours and days immediately after determines whether you have any realistic chance of recovering your money or seeing justice. Here is exactly what to do.
1. Secure every piece of evidence immediately: Gather all receipts, bank transfer records, tenancy agreements, text messages, WhatsApp conversations, emails, and any documents you signed or received. Screenshot everything before the fraudster blocks or deletes contact. Your evidence is the foundation of every step that follows.
2. Report to the nearest police station: Visit the station closest to where the transaction occurred and file a formal report. Request a copy of your police extract as proof that a report was made. This document will be required by other agencies and courts down the line.
3. Petition the EFCC: You can report to the EFCC by calling +234 8093322644, emailing info@efcc.gov.ng, or visiting any of their office locations across the country. The EFCC has actively prosecuted property agents for real estate fraud, including a recent Abuja case involving an agent who allegedly defrauded multiple clients of over ₦288 million. Submit your petition with all supporting evidence attached.
4. Engage a property lawyer immediately: A lawyer can file for an injunction to freeze the fraudster’s assets, initiate civil recovery proceedings, and advise on your best legal options. Time matters here because assets can be moved quickly once the fraudster knows you are taking action.
5. Report to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC): The FCCPC handles consumer protection complaints including fraudulent service providers such as agents. Filing here creates an additional formal record and puts regulatory pressure on the individual or company involved.
6. Warn the community: Report scams to rental platforms and housing communities immediately. Posting a detailed, factual account on trusted housing forums protects other potential victims from the same fraudster while your case is being investigated.
Being defrauded does not mean you are powerless. Move fast, document everything, and pursue every available channel simultaneously.
Report scam cases and warn others in our Scam Reports and Warnings forum.
