A rushed deposit is how most property scams happen. Before you send any money, run through this:
1. Verify the person you're dealing with.
Ask for their Real Estate Verification Number (RVN) and check it on REMCAN Realers before any conversation about money starts. A legitimate marketer or consultant will have one and won't hesitate to share it.
2. Confirm the title document matches the seller.
The name on the Certificate of Occupancy, Deed of Assignment, or other title document should match the person claiming to sell. If there's a mismatch, a different name, a "family representative," a "power of attorney" you haven't seen, stop and ask why.
3. See the land, not just the photos.
Physically visit the property, or send someone you trust if you can't. Confirm the boundaries match what's described in the documents. Land sold "off-plan" from photos alone is where fraud concentrates.
4. Ask who else has paid for this same plot.
Multiple sales of the same land are common enough to ask about directly. A straightforward answer, or a willingness to show you weren't the only prospective buyer being shown the site, is a good sign. Evasiveness is not.
5. Get everything in writing before you pay not after.
A receipt after the money has moved protects no one. Get the payment terms, the property details, and the seller's or agent's verified identity in writing first.
If in doubt: pause.
No genuine seller loses a deal because you took 24 hours to verify their credentials and the paperwork. Urgency ("pay today or lose the plot") is one of the most common pressure tactics used in property fraud.
Verify any REMCAN member's RVN before you engage: REMCAN Realers.