The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a fresh warning to Abuja residents and prospective property buyers.
The anti-graft agency’s alert followed the arrest of a suspected fraudulent land vendor, Nwobo Williams Chibuike.
Chibuike, who, according to EFCC, operated under multiple aliases and company names, including C&C Reality & Construction Limited, Dream-Krest Homes and Properties Limited, and Dan Faith Shelters Limited, was arrested for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting members of the public by offering fake plots of land for sale across various districts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The EFCC stated in a statement issued on Wednesday that its investigations revealed that Chibuike claimed to have properties in areas such as Kurudu, Sabon Lugbe East Extension, Kpeyegyi, and Jikoyi Village Extension.
However, inquiries made by the anti-graft agency at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) confirmed that the said plots do not exist.
Victims of the scam reportedly paid between N3.5 million and N60 million for nonexistent lands in prime locations such as Karsana, Pyakasa, Jikwoyi, Katampe Extension, Guzape 2, and Kuje.
The EFCC stated that Chibuike posed as the Managing Director of his fictitious real estate firms and lured his victims with convincing documentation and false assurances of legitimate ownership.
“The suspect will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the Commission confirmed in the official statement.
In light of the growing trend of real estate fraud, the EFCC urged members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with land vendors, particularly itinerant agents operating in and around the FCT.
The Commission advised prospective buyers to verify all land documents with relevant authorities before making any financial commitments.
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