A couple recently lost ₦280,000,000 million to a fake developer who worked hand-in-hand with a security guard to sell a house in Igbo-Efon Lekki Lagos that wasn’t his.

When you think of a security guard, you imagine someone protecting property. But in this case, the guard posed as an accomplice in a ₦280 million real estate scam.

It began when the couple stumbled upon a 4-bedroom duplex listed on Instagram by a developer. He used flashy marketing to showcase a luxury home for sale. The photos were perfect, the location prime, and the price competitive. Unknown to them, the developer was a Wayo con artist.

The couple reached out, and the "Fake developer" arranged an inspection with the help of the property’s security guard. To gain credibility, he enlisted and bribed the security guard to let him conduct inspections, have unrestricted access to the house and pose as the real owner when the real homeowners were away. The guard’s involvement was critical. His presence made the deal seem legitimate, convincing the couple to trust the developer and vouch for his ownership.

The fake developer’s also had fantastic forged documents, including a Governor’s Consent, Survey plan, and Receipt—all bearing the scammer’s name. They were so convincing that the couple didn’t think to verify them. Everything seemed legitimate. The couple were impressed by the house and eager to secure it. The couple, under pressure to act quickly due to claims of other interested buyers, and an increase in the cost of the house in a few days, paid the full amount of ₦280 million and were handed over the house's keys which were expertly duplicated.

When they returned days later, with their lawyer to sign the deed of assignment, they found the real developer on the site marketing his house to prospective buyers. He was completely unaware of the transaction that took place behind him and was shocked by their claims of purchase.

The fake developer and security guard had vanished, leaving the couple with no property and no recourse to their money. By then, the scammer and the security guard had disappeared, leaving the couple devastated and broke.

The security guard has been apprehended by the police after being tracked down in Gombe State, where he confessed that the fake developer paid him ₦2 million to pose as the owner and grant access to potential buyers. Meanwhile, the fake developer has fled the country and remains untraceable.

Their ₦280 million is gone forever.

This is why due diligence is NON-NEGOTIABLE when buying property in Lagos. This tragic incident highlights the dangers of skipping due diligence. Never rely on verbal assurances or appearances—always verify property titles before making payments. "Looks real" is not enough.

Don’t be the next victim of real estate scams in Lagos. Verify every land or house you intend to purchase with Omonilelawyer. Visit www.omonilelawyer.com or call 07036681104 / 08077943514 to avoid stories that touch the heart.