The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to residents, particularly prospective home buyers, to beware of fraudulent estate agents marketing non-existent housing units for sale or rent on social media platforms.

The Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, sounded the alarm in response to a viral video advertising units at the newly commissioned Lagos State Government-owned Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate. He clarified that all flats in the estate have been fully allocated, describing the online advert as a deliberate attempt to deceive the public.

“The advertised estate has been fully allocated, and its purported availability for sale or rent as stated in the online video is therefore a fraudulent act by the agent,” the Commissioner stated.

He emphasized that the Lagos State Government does not engage private agents or third parties for the sale, lease, or rental of its housing units. According to him, the Estate Department of the Ministry of Housing is solely responsible for the direct sale of such properties, while the Lagos State Mortgage Board handles allocations under the Mortgage and Rent-to-Own schemes.

Akinderu-Fatai urged prospective buyers to conduct due diligence before making any payments, by contacting the Ministry of Housing directly to verify the authenticity of any sales claim.

“The public must be vigilant and ensure they do not fall prey to impostors. The Ministry and the State Government will not be held liable for any financial losses resulting from such fraudulent transactions,” he warned. “Anyone caught engaging in this criminal act will be prosecuted.”

In a related development, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola, has directed allottees of the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate to take physical possession of their allocated units immediately. He noted that failure to do so may result in the revocation of ownership, as unoccupied units are vulnerable to infiltration by fraudulent agents posing as legitimate marketers.

This measure, he said, is part of efforts to safeguard government housing estates from exploitation by swindlers and to protect unsuspecting members of the public.