10 likely signs to know that you are dealing with fraudulent land agents in Nigeria

   

 By Precious Udom

When a project appears to be failing, analyze the situation and assesses the options available – Steve Marr

Steve Marr is damned right here. We must look before we leap and also learn from the failures of others, no matter the project we are involved in.

Today, our write-up will focus on how to know when you are dealing with land fraudsters. As usual, it is going to be as informal and down-to-earth as possible.

At the end of the day, we will able to see or read beyond the line, when some so-called stakeholders in the real  estate business sector come up with their technicalities on how to overcome land disputes, especially in Nigeria

Fake or no land document  

Nigeria is a potentially great country. But, you may agree with me that the country still has a long way to go as far following due process and doing things the right way is concerned.

When we talk about obtaining fake documents to purchase a land, what actually comes to my mind are the activities of the popular omoniles, land speculators, developers, fraudsters, or touts.

These persons make their money from carrying out what obviously are criminal, illegal and therefore unacceptable to any right thinking person in the country.

Let me at this point draw your attention to an article that was published recently in www.allafrica.com, where the federal capital territory accused both the Nigeria Prison service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps of their allege involvement in the sale of land in Abuja, the federal capital territory without following due and authorized process

This may sound like tales from the fantasy Island. But, the fact is that it is true that some government officials do collude with some dubious stakeholders in the real sector business to frustrate an aspiring investor on land.

So what is the way out? If you are really interested in obtaining genuine documents, do involve a lawyer or professional real estate firms to conduct discreet investigations on any land before you decided to buy

Yes, it will cost you extra money since you need to pay for their services. But, let me be realistic with you, it is better to pay extra than to fall into the hands of fraudsters after paying fortunes to buy a land.

Whether it is an agent or the owner that is showing you a land to buy, you need to use a lawyer to get the photostat copies of the documents in respect of the land in order to verify them.

After the verification, my friend sends spies to go speak with residents of the area without the knowledge of the agent or land owners. It could be ideal at this point to either employ the services of private security guard companies, contact private investigators or the police.

Based on independent reports obtained from these various sources, you will decide whether to go ahead and buy the land or not.   

The words that come to my mind as I write this at this point are that for a genuine land, the agent or land owner will most likely be willing to give you the photostat copies of the documents, without pressure on payment. The person may suggest you could even pay into his bank account, instead of cash.

Negative report from land registry

Nigeria is blessed with abundant land. But, the truth is that in each state in the country, there is the land bureau, whose business it is to relate in matters concerning land in the state

I am so use to Lagos, because this is where I stay. The land Bureau for Lagos is located somewhere in Alausa, Ikeja.

To obtain your report on any land in the state, obtain the land verification form for N5000, fill the form, attach the documents obtained from the agent or land owner and submit

Honestly speaking, if you are not too knowledgeable in land purchase matters, seek the advice of consultants, who will ensure that some shylock land owners or agents do not collude with  government land bureau officials to cook-up or give you false reports, which may ultimately be costly in your dream of investing in real estate

Once the verification stage is fake, the Certificate of Occupancy may also turn out to be fake. So, shine your eyes at this very crucial stage   

Investigations

As I said earlier, use independent people not known or recognized by the agent or land owners to go into the area you intend buying the land for discreet investigations.

You could also use credible private security guard companies or land bureau staff, which is genuine and incorruptible. Doing otherwise could be costly to your dream.

Market offer or closing price
The price of land varies from area to area. Therefore, it is more or less like the forces of demand, depending on location. But, I know deep down that through your independent investigations, you will be able to have an idea whether the market price is fair or not.

Persistent demand for payment

My friend, patience, thoroughness and the element of time is needed here. Where the agent or owners is putting pressure on you to pay on time, under the guise that others are waiting to buy the same land, my advice to you is to either beat a retreat or follow the person with caution.

Where you are asked to pay cash instead of cheque into a certain account, honestly if I were you I will report the matter to the police at this stage.

You see mounting pressure on land matter anywhere in the world is a sign of 419ers or fraudsters at work in most cases

Signs of development

What come to my here when you see signs of physical development on the land you intend to buy is that the agent or owner is trying to play smart by selling the land to as many people as possible and probably trying to run away before the deal is exposed.

 At this stage, play along with the land seller; behave like a mugu while you quickly alert the police

Signs of structural demolition

This is also an indication that the said land may be in contention. Another possible signs of 419 activities or fraudulent dealings on the said land.

There are a number of options available to you. Nigeria is a potentially great country. But poverty and hardship have forced some persons to adopt survival approach to living

These 10 indicators of a land in dispute are not inexhaustible. There are a thousand and one reasons why a land will be on dispute.

And it is not limited to Nigeria or the so-called developing countries alone. In advanced countries like the United States of America, United Kingdom etc, they all have their fair shares of the issues at stake. Let us be optimistic, we shall get there.

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