Opus85:
i am an estate surveyor and to tell you the truth, the deal looks shady. does the agent have a real office location? have you asked people around about the agent? when he became worried after you took his picture just sold him out. request for a refund before the bubble burst on your head.

my dad who was into agency business fell into this kind of thing with his clients last year. in fact, they will issue original receipts to you join self to cover their track. fear any house that a developer is involved.

I remember Advising a Nairalander about this tactics of giving out Receipts even while the Transaction isn't legit.

Computer Village Guys are good at such very well

This people just keep closing deals while legitimate Sellers suffer the Trust Issues they leave behind.

I can tell you Omo`Onile scam is kinda better than most Real-Estate Companies spring up almost every where.

Avoiding Scams of any type can be difficult

BUT

Being Smart, Stupid with Brain AND also being Paranoid while Questioning every thing down to the last detail helps keep you safer.
Being Up to date with their Atrocities is another thing

bts1:


I think something is not right, did you see or talk with the owner of the property before paying to the agent. next time don't pay to the agent but rather pay to the owner of the property or on he/she(the owner) instruction

Thanks

How Would most people know the Land-Lord especially since they could be shown just anyOne.

What can help is having someOne who haven't met them to go ask around (especially if there are Tenants in the compound.) so as to be sure the owner is actually whom they were shown.

Johnkay01:
This is the house

Are you equally a Victim ?

seanwilliam:
if 8days don nack and u no get what u want, call am with anoda number to get hold of him and involve SARS(not ordinary police o) or SOLDIER. and make sure the SARS is from a very far place, u knw he might get connection with the one wey dey near. u go dey alright laslas

Only a Stingy & Self-fish Person would commit a Crime of this magnitude and easily be Pulled out of hiding by this Simple Technique.


Except of course the person is a Serial Fraudster who has another Venue of Crime and you happen to know that.

For this current One, who knows, all the GSM numbers wey una get sef might all have been acquired for Temporary Use which means they might or Must have ditched them by now.

Involving the police only makes things worse for you, if they pity you even the police will ask you to leave it for God because they know that there are criminals ogas among them who receive bribes from those scammers and there's nothing they can do.

Carlyboi:
To be candid babe those fraudsters if they’re still in town will jet out in max 3 days,we are talking bout 200 people paying a minimum of 200k babe that’s 40m at least you will need serious luck to catch them to be candid....if they don’t abscond they must have an insane kinda backup plan to be so confident so you won’t be able to catch them easily.....but if they don’t and they’re still in Lagos they must be the dumbest fraudsters on the face of the earth cos you can even get a visa on arrival in rwanda while loads of African countries and the Caribbean being the same in other words this is a well thought out fraud-scheme and a well thought out plan....You will need a lot of support but if they’re still in town they can be easily tracked or smoked out and if they state government gets involved that would be your best bet as they can take it seriously...the police can be easily influenced with money even with their own involved and EFCC can only arrest or prosecute a suspect they can locate or reach if not they’re mostly useless in your situation....I just hope the Mr hazmat helps you guys on this cos to be frank with you it’s only serious help from that kinda level that can help you get justice and recover your money..........

Really Love your addition

If really done well, even the government may never be able to catch them.

If you know ow much common Banks Loose Annually with no Convictions or Catches though I also know few of those crimes have insiders as Catalyst.

Best approach would have been to let them Cool off and catch them whenever they retreats.

Being caught off-Guard would have been best BUT if they already have previous crimes, then who knows if an Investigators really does a Good work, they might be able to figure out a Pattern which would lead to their Apprehension

Johnkay01:

The did has been done and the lesson has been learnt - though in hard way.

The issue now is "solution". These guy carted away around 40 million of naira. Over 200 person paid them and the least is 150k, some paid 500k depending on what you want (flat and self contain).

...and how Behind and Deep your pockets are.

BecaciaBarbie:

Exactly, I am very sure they will contact those who moved in but that might be in a year's time but hopefully before then they would be behind bars by God's Grace! They caused so many of us so much pains.

Now this would have been a very Cheap way of Catching them without raising much Dust.

To catch a Criminal have different ways and methods.
The easiest is Make little Scene, and appear to have given up.

When they let down their Guards, you catch them Stress-Free.

armadeo:


Exactly. That's my advice above but the scam has been pulled already.

Oh OK

bassdow:


Really Love your addition

If really done well, even the government may never be able to catch them.

If you know ow much common Banks Loose Annually with no Convictions or Catches though I also know few of those crimes have insiders as Catalyst.

Best approach would have been to let them Cool off and catch them whenever they retreats.

Being caught off-Guard would have been best BUT if they already have previous crimes, then who knows if an Investigators really does a Good work, they might be able to figure out a Pattern which would lead to their Apprehension

Exactly the figures involved but if they get serious help from the higher authorities it can perform a world of magic

SocialJustice:
Sure and they could be repeat offenders becoming police customers in the process. And the fraudsters will always be ahead. How much is the amount paid?

Exactly! Just tonight we discovered one of the agents is on our whatsapp list, spying and monitoring our discussions but got busted when we noticed how he was making every effort to frustrate our plans! His picture was revealed and many people confirmed his identity.

260k actually...

armadeo:


When next you step into that house collect the keys and tell them you'll clean up yourself. Never ever pay and wait. House is plug and play. Learnt this the hard way.

Get the keys call carpenter change the door lock. Then it's yours. Anything else is story.

Also next time dont go alone go with one or two others. It's easier to intimidate a lone female but once you're two it gets harder.

Good luck.

Thank you so much...i'll sure use this advice when next I'm looking for an apartment, I just hope this happens soon...

armadeo:


Well my advice came late. Plug and play. Once you pay collect keys straight and change the locks and put up curtains even if it's old bedsheets on the windows facing outside.

Lagos is full of thieves.

Now I believe many people are living on others hard earned money.

Abcruz:


Take heart. The joy of the LORD is your strength and you will certainly recover all that you have lost in the hand of that fraudster.

"There is no peace for the wicked," says the LORD.--Isaiah 48:22

Amennnnnn!!!! Thank you so much! God bless!!!

BecaciaBarbie:

Exactly! Just tonight we discovered one of the agents is on our whatsapp list, spying and monitoring our discussions but got busted when we noticed how he was making every effort to frustrate our plans! His picture was revealed and many people confirmed his identity.

260k actually...

The group has been compromised, there will be more than one snitches on there by now monitoring your every progress to plan their next move.

Tell the admin to delete the group and start another one asap. He should make sure that new members can only be added by admins and not through links. Whoever is added to the group must be thoroughly vetted before they're added.

BecaciaBarbie:

No it hasn't... It starts from today.... I'm confused, whether to go request for my money or wait

Go get your money back. I was played same way back those days. After collecting the money and showing the House, story started. Well, I found out and I was able to decode his truck and s day came and I hanged around his office, I saw a lady walking out of his office, I busted into his office while his secretary was counting the money paid to him, I quickly grabbed the money. He couldn't fight back because I had receipt he issued to me.

That was how I got my money back. Go collect your money now or the money is gone.

BecaciaBarbie:

Exactly! Just tonight we discovered one of the agents is on our whatsapp list, spying and monitoring our discussions but got busted when we noticed how he was making every effort to frustrate our plans! His picture was revealed and many people confirmed his identity.

260k actually...

Wow. How many of you paid N260k each to the agents? N260k on it's own isn't much to go through the stress of fighting a crime syndicate but if the fraud is up to a million then it makes more sense.

Most times these hardened criminals won't even mind going to prison but if they are scared of prison then going to court will scare them and you'll get your money back.

Just hope for the best.

SocialJustice:
Wow. How many of you paid N260k each to the agents? N260k on it's own isn't much to go through the stress of fighting a crime syndicate but if the fraud is up to a million then it makes more sense.

Most times these hardened criminals won't even mind going to prison but if they are scared of prison then going to court will scare them and you'll get your money back.

Just hope for the best.

Many paid 300k and above.... Based on the statement at the station on Saturday, the total amount was 15million naira, should be twice the amount now as most people just discovered they have been scammed 3 days after.

SocialJustice:
Wow. How many of you paid N260k each to the agents? N260k on it's own isn't much to go through the stress of fighting a crime syndicate but if the fraud is up to a million then it makes more sense.

Most times these hardened criminals won't even mind going to prison but if they are scared of prison then going to court will scare them and you'll get your money back.

Just hope for the best.

260k isn't much? I don't think so

dominique:


The group has been compromised, there will be more than one snatches on there by now monitoring your every progress to plan their next move.

Tell the admin to delete the group and start another one asap. He should make sure that new members can only be added by admins and not through links. Whoever is added to the group must be thoroughly vetted before they're added.

Thank you so much...you've been so helpful.

The admin has started this already, as you can't join the group unless you show your receipt but that could be manipulated too, at least it is a step. Thanks a whole lot!!!

I am a victim of this situation. It is really a hard knock to be honest. We are doing everything to apprehend these unscrupulous elements

bassdow:



Are you equally a Victim ?

My friend is among the victims

Sorry for your loss,

Where is the location of that property

We need to blacklist this to avoid others falling for this.

It's better to get a court order to sell off that property to refund those who were scam.

BecaciaBarbie:

260k isn't much? I don't think so

Sorry N260k is reasonable sum but I meant when you start pursuing justice, you could spend that much overtime and you may not even get refunded in the end. I'm just being honest with you. Justice in Nigeria is not cheap, you could still get lucky though and get refunded without court process.

BecaciaBarbie:

Many paid 300k and above.... Based on the statement at the station on Saturday, the total amount was 15million naira, should be twice the amount now as most people just discovered they have been scammed 3 days after.

Now, this is something. Wonderful! Those crooks hit it big time. Please do not delay with police, rather gather evidence from everyone that was duped, get a lawyer, seek legal advice and sue.

I repeat, do not let police you cajole you guys with investigation, they will just be seeking means to ask for money and in the end they will charge the case to court. You all already have a strong case of fraud that can be proven in court. Gather yourselves, get a single reasonably good lawyer and sue.

You'll most likely not get your money back but putting these guys in jail will be worth it.

BecaciaBarbie:

Thank you so much...you've been so helpful.

The admin has started this already, as you can't join the group unless you show your receipt but that could be manipulated too, at least it is a step. Thanks a whole lot!!!

Same thing happened to me last year. A so called Alhaji Garba with his guys scammed up to 300 of us. up to 50 million was scammed from us. Same processes u guys are taking. The Alhaji has been in that business for years. The day we were asked to come and collect keys, we got there to see that all the flats has already been occupied. We went to the police to write statement. To show you that these guys know this job, the Alhaji reported himself to the police at Ikoyi. He has bribed the police. We did all we can. The case went to court.

Long story cut short, the case is still in court since last year. I believe he has bribed the judge cos the woman keep adjourning our case. She keeps fixing the cases on public holidays (when courts don't sit). Many of us have given up. A lot has left the Whatsapp group we created. We contacted the government, Ministry of justice Alausa, PPC, went to the radio, made publicity on newspaper, did a whole lot of things. The man is still walking free. Sometimes, I feel like believing Nigeria is a sh!t.hole.

Personally I have lost interest in the case. I've moved on to a better place.

As I read thru this thread, I remember that experience.
Lessons to learn are

1. Don't ever pay for an apartment under construction, or an apartment that you won't get the keys at the point of payment.

2. Always verify stuffs from Google. (it was after I have realized that I have been scammed that I typed the man's name on Google to discover that a lot of complaints have been made regarding that name, because the man is a serial fraudstar)

3. Nigerian police and judges work with Fraudstars.

My advice is, as much as you are fighting to recover your money, don't put all your hope there, so that you may not be disappointed, because it might take time.

I wish justice will be served swiftly so you guys can be refunded.

If possible, you guys should go and report him to Mc Oluomo in Oshodi. Forget Police, forget Efcc. With Police, you can NEVER get a penny out of that money.

He would be begging you people to come take your money.

Mad situations require mad measures.

mastar111:


Same thing happened to me last year. A so called Alhaji Garba with his guys scammed up to 300 of us. up to 50 million was scammed from us. Same processes u guys are taking. The Alhaji has been in that business for years. The day we were asked to come and collect keys, we got there to see that all the flats has already been occupied. We went to the police to write statement. To show you that these guys know this job, the Alhaji reported himself to the police at Ikoyi. He has bribed the police. We did all we can. The case went to court.

Long story cut short, the case is still in court since last year. I believe he has bribed the judge cos the woman keep adjourning our case. She keeps fixing the cases on public holidays (when courts don't sit). Many of us have given up. A lot has left the Whatsapp group we created. We contacted the government, Ministry of justice Alausa, PPC, went to the radio, made publicity on newspaper, did a whole lot of things. The man is still walking free. Sometimes, I feel like believing Nigeria is a sh!t.hole.

Personally I have lost interest in the case. I've moved on to a better place.

As I read thru this thread, I remember that experience.
Lessons to learn are

1. Don't ever pay for an apartment under construction, or an apartment that you won't get the keys at the point of payment.

2. Always verify stuffs from Google. (it was after I have realized that I have been scammed that I typed the man's name on Google to discover that a lot of complaints have been made regarding that name, because the man is a serial fraudstar)

3. Nigerian police and judges work with Fraudstars.

My advice is, as much as you are fighting to recover your money, don't put all your hope there, so that you may not be disappointed, because it might take time.

I wish justice will be served swiftly so you guys can be refunded.

Woooooow God please help us oooo....i can't even imagine this! Seriously, and the case is still being dragged? What about the house? I was hoping they will seal up the house and put it up for sale, so we could get our money back!

SocialJustice:
Now, this is something. Wonderful! Those crooks hit it big time. Please do not delay with police, rather gather evidence from everyone that was duped, get a lawyer, seek legal advice and sue.

I repeat, do not let police you cajole you guys with investigation, they will just be seeking means to ask for money and in the end they will charge the case to court. You all already have a strong case of fraud that can be proven in court. Gather yourselves, get a single reasonably good lawyer and sue.

You'll most likely not get your money back but putting these guys in jail will be worth it.

Not getting our money back isn't something I want to be told... Oh goodness....i seriously pray we do and also get justice to avoid cases like this again in the future. This is sad.... Not even the police can be trusted, I see why we have many criminals walking freely around and spending people's hard earned money lavishly.

SocialJustice:
Sorry N260k is reasonable sum but I meant when you start pursuing justice, you could spend that much overtime and you may not even get refunded in the end. I'm just being honest with you. Justice in Nigeria is not cheap, you could still get lucky though and get refunded without court process.

Kaiiiiii But why? What kind of wickedness could make one scam over 200 families, knowing fully well that they struggled so much to get that money and may not have any other option! Wickedness at it's very peak!!!!

Hotfreezers:
If possible, you guys should go and report him to Mc Oluomo in Oshodi. Forget Police, forget Efcc. With Police, you can NEVER get a penny out of that money.

He would be begging you people to come take your money.

Mad situations require mad measures.

Hummmmm I thought of that too...

koolengrtimmy:
Sorry for your loss,

Where is the location of that property

We need to blacklist this to avoid others falling for this.

It's better to get a court order to sell off that property to refund those who were scam.

Thank you....

The location is Ketu-Alapere, Elebiju side.

You think they could get a court order to sell the property? I'd be happy if this is possible.