EFCC arrests Abuja property agent over N288m real estate scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested an Abuja-based property agent, Hajia Adama Adamu, for allegedly defrauding a client of N288 million in a real estate transaction.

The commission announced the arrest on Wednesday via its official X handle, stating that operatives of its Ilorin Zonal Directorate picked up the suspect following a petition.

According to the EFCC, Adamu allegedly collected the money from a complainant, Alhaji Tanko Yawale, after claiming she could help him secure a property located at House 31, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

However, after receiving the funds, the commission said the suspect failed to provide valid documents for the property and later became evasive, raising red flags and leading the complainant to petition the EFCC.

“Following the payment, Hajia Adamu allegedly failed to provide the complainant with authentic property documents and subsequently became unreachable,” the agency stated.

Property scams continue to plague Nigeria’s real estate market, especially in high-demand areas like Abuja, where fraudulent agents frequently target unsuspecting buyers. The EFCC noted that it has recently increased efforts to clamp down on such fraud and urged the public to conduct thorough verification before making payments for land or property.