10 Warning Signs of Fake Land Documents in Lagos: How to Protect Your Investment
Buying land in Lagos can be tricky, especially with the rise in fake documentation. Every week, countless people lose their hard-earned money to land scams. But you don’t have to be one of them. Here are ten clear warning signs that can help you spot fake land documents in Lagos.
-
Missing Government Seals and Watermarks
Real land documents in Lagos come with specific government seals and watermarks. If you notice blurry seals or missing watermarks, this is a major red flag. Authentic documents from the Lagos Land Bureau have clear, visible seals that you can feel when you touch them.
What to do: Always check documents under good lighting. Feel the surface of the seals – they should have a slightly raised texture.
-
Inconsistent Signatures
Watch out for signatures that look different across multiple documents. Authentic land documents have consistent signatures, especially on documents supposedly signed by the same government official.
What to do: Compare signatures across different pages and documents. They should match perfectly.
-
Unrealistic Date Stamps
Pay attention to the dates on all documents. Some fraudsters make mistakes with dates, like putting future dates or dates that don’t match the document’s timeline.
What to do: Create a timeline of all dates on the documents. They should follow a logical order.
-
Wrong Survey Numbers
Every genuine survey plan in Lagos has a unique survey number that you can verify. Fake documents often have survey numbers that don’t exist in the government database.
What to do: Visit the Surveyor General’s office to verify any survey number before making payment.
-
Incorrect Land Registry Numbers
The Land Registry in Lagos gives each registered property a unique number. Scammers often make up these numbers or use numbers that don’t match the property’s location.
What to do: Verify the registry number at the Lagos State Land Registry. This simple step can save you millions.
-
Poor Paper Quality
Official land documents in Lagos use specific types of paper. If you receive documents printed on regular paper or paper that feels too light, be suspicious.
What to do: Compare the paper quality with known genuine documents from the Land Registry.
-
Missing or Incorrect Property Details
Legitimate documents contain consistent property details across all papers. Watch out for:
- Different plot numbers
- Changing property sizes
- Inconsistent property locations
- Mixed-up boundary descriptions
What to do: Cross-check all property details across every document you receive.
-
Suspicious Price Tags
If the land price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use extremely low prices to lure unsuspecting buyers.
What to do: Research current land prices in your chosen area. Be wary of prices that are far below market value.
-
Pressure to Skip Verification
Be very careful if someone tries to rush you or discourage you from verifying documents. Common excuses include:
- “The offer will expire soon”
- “Someone else wants to buy it”
- “The verification process takes too long”
- “You don’t need to verify because I’m trusted”
What to do: Never skip document verification, no matter the pressure. Genuine sellers will always give you time to verify.
-
Missing Chain of Ownership
Every piece of land in Lagos has a history of ownership. Fake documents often lack clear details about previous owners or have gaps in the ownership timeline.
What to do: Ask for and verify the complete history of ownership. This should include all previous owners and how the current seller acquired the land.
How to Protect Your Investment From Fake Land Documents
Follow these steps to stay safe:
1. Work with Professionals
- Hire a registered surveyor
- Work with a qualified lawyer
- Use reputable real estate companies
- Engage government-approved agents
2. Visit Government Offices
- Lagos State Land Registry
- Surveyor General’s Office
- Land Bureau
- Local government offices in the property’s location
3. Keep Good Records
- Take clear photos of all documents
- Make copies of everything
- Keep receipts of all payments
- Document all meetings and conversations
4. Never Pay Cash
- Use bank transfers
- Keep transaction records
- Get receipts for all payments
- Avoid cash payments, no matter the pressure
Conclusion
Spotting fake land documents requires attention to detail and patience. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a decision. Remember, it’s better to spend extra time and money on verification than to lose your entire investment to scammers.
Remember: When it comes to land documents in Lagos, if something seems off, it probably is. Trust your instincts and always verify.
Would you like to come for land inspection so as to buy land or house in Epe, Ajah, Lekki, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria? Reach out to us on +234 806 400 3456 or send an email to support@godslandempire.com. We are ever ready to assist you on your property ownership journey in Nigeria.