If you shop on social media in Nigeria, you are not alone — most buyers do. Scammers know that too. More than half of recent financial scams reported in industry surveys happened on social platforms, not traditional websites.
Here are seven red flags to check before you transfer money.
1. No verifiable identity
Only a pretty grid — no consistent phone number, no repeat buyers, no way to start a trackable order.
2. Pressure to pay immediately
“Last piece” urgency plus a personal account number is a classic pattern.
3. Screenshot-only proof
Edited bank alerts and fake receipts are easy. Demand a proper pay link or escrow checkout.
4. Too-good pricing
Luxury bags or phones at half market price are rarely real.
5. Off-platform everything
The moment they refuse any order reference or link, walk away.
6. No delivery plan
No rider, no courier, no address confirmation — just “send money first.”
7. New account, big catalog
Overnight “boutique” pages with stolen photos happen daily.
Safer alternative
Use escrow: pay into a protected hold, seller ships, funds release on delivery rules. Browse Find 2 Buy verified sellers or read COD vs escrow.