Buyer safety
Check everything before you pay.
Asset fraud is common. Every listing on Substrat shows exactly what we have and have not verified — and every buyer and seller should complete independent due diligence through the right agencies.
Warning signs
- Pressure to pay a deposit quickly to "secure" the asset before you inspect it.
- Asked to pay into an unrelated personal account or outside the documented transaction arrangements.
- Seller refuses an official search, a site visit, or your own lawyer.
- Only photocopies of title or vehicle papers — originals are always "with someone else".
- Price far below similar assets in the same area.
- Someone claiming to be from Substrat asking you to pay the purchase price to them.
- Payment instructions changed only through WhatsApp, social media or an unverified personal account.
Our verification badges
- Publication checks completed
- The listing identifies each completed check separately. No badge guarantees title, authenticity, condition or a successful transaction.
- Check-by-check disclosure
- Only completed checks appear publicly. Unverified inventory is not eligible for publication.
Sellers can apply for verification here.
Agencies and checks involved
These tools help parties organise the checks relevant to their transaction. Buyers and sellers remain responsible for engaging appropriate independent professionals and confirming which agencies and evidence apply.
Buyer — property and general
Independent lawyer (verify on the Nigerian Bar Association register)
Buyer has instructed their own lawyer to act on the transaction.
AGIS — Abuja Geographic Information Systems (or the State Land Registry)
Official search confirming the title document, registered owner and any encumbrances.
Office of the Surveyor-General (FCT or State)
Survey plan charted and confirmed to match the land on the ground.
FCDA Development Control / State planning authority
Building approval confirmed; property not marked for demolition or road/government acquisition.
High Court registry search (through the buyer's lawyer)
No pending court case, lien or caveat on the asset.
Physical inspection by the buyer or their surveyor
Buyer has personally inspected the asset and confirmed occupancy / condition.
ESVARBON-registered estate surveyor & valuer (optional)
Independent valuation obtained, or buyer chose not to obtain one.
NIMC (NIN) / CAC company search
Seller's identity, or the selling company and its directors, confirmed.
Bank, lawyer's client account or appropriate regulated escrow
The purchase-funds route is documented and pays only the legally entitled recipient or an appropriate regulated escrow/client account — never an unrelated personal account.
Buyer's lawyer
Written sale agreement / deed of assignment reviewed before any payment.
AGIS / Governor's or Minister's consent; FIRS / State IRS stamp duty
Plan agreed for consent, stamp duty and registration after purchase.
Buyer — vehicles
Nigeria Customs Service
Customs duty papers verified for imported vehicles.
Nigeria Police — Central Motor Registry (CMR)
Vehicle not reported stolen; CMR record checked.
State Motor Licensing Authority / FRSC
Vehicle licence, proof of ownership and plate number match the vehicle and chassis/VIN.
NIID — Nigerian Insurance Industry Database
Insurance record checked.
Independent mechanic
Mechanical inspection completed.
Seller
NIMC (NIN) / CAC
Seller has provided valid ID and, for companies, CAC certificate and board authority to sell.
AGIS / State Land Registry
Seller holds original title documents and will make them available for the buyer's search.
Motor Licensing Authority / Customs
Seller holds original vehicle papers and customs documents.
Seller's declaration
Asset is free of mortgage, lien, dispute or third-party claim, or these have been disclosed in writing.
Seller's bank or appointed professional
The sale-proceeds route identifies the legally entitled recipient or appropriate regulated escrow/client account in the transaction documents.
FIRS / State IRS
Seller will settle any applicable capital gains tax and outstanding rates/charges.
Seller
Seller will allow physical inspection and independent searches before payment.
Substrat's position
Substrat Limited is a marketplace and advisory platform. Unless separately appointed in writing, it is not a party to, agent for, or guarantor of a sale between buyer and seller. The party appointing Substrat ordinarily pays its agreed service fee. Verification covers only checks expressly marked complete and is not a legal title opinion or a substitute for independent professional due diligence. Substrat service fees, third-party professional costs and transaction consideration are separate. Substrat does not ask buyers to pay an asset purchase price into a personal account; purchase funds move only under documented arrangements to the legally entitled recipient or an appropriate regulated escrow or client account. Any limitation of liability remains subject to applicable law and the written mandate.
Substrat will never change official payment instructions solely through an informal WhatsApp or social-media message. Independently confirm any change through the official email and telephone details published on this website.
Unsure about a deal?
Speak to us before you pay anything. We can point you to the right checks.