by Desh Nautilus Ltd There’s a moment, right before a buyer signs or transfers money, when everything feels perfect: the price, the pictures, the promises. That moment is where many Lagos dreams are born, and where too many are buried.
At Desh Nautilus, we’ve heard the heartbreaking stories: families paying twice for the same land, young couples losing deposit money to ghost developers, retirees discovering their “C of O” is a photocopy miracle made in Oshodi. We decided long ago that if we couldn’t protect people from those pains, we had no business selling property.
So, this is not a sales pitch. This is a conversation; honest, raw, a bit uncomfortable – about property scams in Nigeria and how to dodge them with grace.
1. The Document That Lied
Femi was 32 when he showed me a glossy folder. “Bros, see my C of O.” The ink was fresh, the seal looked official, but the serial number screamed false. Within minutes we confirmed it didn’t exist in the registry. Femi had paid ₦12 million for dreams built on shredded paper.
Truth: counterfeit titles circulate faster than gala at traffic. If you don’t verify at the Lands Bureau, you’re playing property roulette.
2. Hurry, Price Goes Up Tomorrow!
Scammers love urgency. They dangle scarcity like hot puff‑puff. “Only two plots left. Send commitment fee tonight.” Rush payments bury questions, and buried questions birth regret.
Safe Move: good developers invite you to inspect, interrogate, even stall. If someone won’t give you 48 hours to think, hold your wallet tight.
3. The Bargain That Became a Burden
A beachfront plot advertised at half the market rate is like suya at ₦50: either it’s not meat, or it’s not legal. Cheap land often hides costly problems; encroachment, court injunctions, unpaid community levies.
Ask: why is this price so low? If the answer is “just because,” walk away.
4. Survey ≠ Ownership
A survey plan is a map, not a throne. It shows coordinates; it doesn’t crown kings. Too many buyers frame surveys like certificates, only to discover the land belongs to someone else, sometimes the government.
Rule: pair every survey with a verifiable title (C of O, Governor’s Consent, or legally registered deed).
5. Omo Onile & Silent Wars
If a property has whispers of family disputes, you will hear the loud part later. Omo Onile can appear years after purchase, wielding receipts, charms, or court orders. Unresolved lineage claims turn sweet homes into sour headaches.
Due Diligence: investigate community history; insist on indemnity clauses; involve a lawyer who speaks both English and street.
6. The Developer With No Doorstep
Google the company. Visit the office. Meet the team. If all you find is a WhatsApp DP and motivational quotes, that’s not a developer; that’s an illusion with airtime.
Why We Share Our Address: Plot 11A, Ralph Karirien Crescent, Lekki Peninsula II. Doors open. Coffee ready. Questions welcome.
7. When Due Diligence Feels Expensive, Remember Fraud Is Priceless
A seasoned property lawyer might charge ₦150 k for full verification. Fraud will charge your peace, your savings, and sometimes your sanity. ‘Expensive’ is relative.
Safe Moves We Swear By
- Verify Titles – registry search, lawyers, independent checks.
- Inspect Twice – daytime for clarity, nighttime for reality.
- Ask Hard Questions – Who owns it? Who signed? Why selling?
- Buy From Transparent Brands – Names you can trace, faces you can call.
A Word From Lekki Peninsula II
When we launched Platinum Square, skeptics asked why we shouted about our Governor’s Consent like a chorus. Reason? We wanted buyers to sleep. Real, REM‑cycle sleep.
We believe land should carry peace like perfume, noticeable, calming, unforgettable.
So whether you buy from us or someone else, carry this truth: documents talk louder than discounts.
Ready to own peace? Let’s walk.
📞 +23490 283 16625
📩 deshnautilusltd@gmail.com
More than homes. We build hope, one foundation at a time.
