How to Spot a Fake Car Dealer on Jiji or Cars45 Before You Pay

Buying a car online in Nigeria — whether a "tokunbo" import or a locally used vehicle — has become one of the most common ways people get scammed out of significant money. A fake listing, a "dealer" who insists on a deposit before you view the car, or a vehicle with a completely different history than advertised can cost buyers anywhere from a few thousand naira to millions.

Here's what to check before you send anything.

Red Flags to Watch For

1. The dealer refuses an in-person inspection before payment. This is the most important rule in car buying: never send money — deposit, "booking fee," or full payment — before physically seeing and test-driving the vehicle, or having a trusted mechanic inspect it on your behalf. A dealer who insists you pay first "to reserve it" because "many people are interested" is using classic urgency pressure.

2. Listing photos look too polished or don't match elsewhere. Reverse-image searching a car's photos can reveal the same images used in multiple listings across different cities or even different countries — a strong sign the "dealer" doesn't actually have the car.

3. The price is significantly below market value. If a 2019 model is listed 30–40% cheaper than every comparable listing, that's not a bargain — it's bait.

4. Communication only happens off-platform. Legitimate sellers on Jiji or Cars45 will usually keep some conversation on the platform itself before moving to WhatsApp. A seller who insists on moving to WhatsApp or a phone call immediately, and avoids the platform's messaging entirely, may be trying to avoid the platform's own scam-detection systems.

5. No verifiable documents. A real dealer should be able to show you the vehicle particulars — proof of ownership, custom papers for imported cars, and vehicle registration — without hesitation. Vague answers or excuses about "the papers are with my oga" are a warning sign.

6. Pressure to use an unfamiliar payment method or middleman. Be cautious of any dealer who insists you pay through a specific "trusted" third party, an escrow service you've never heard of, or a bank account under a personal name unconnected to any dealership.

How to Verify a Car Dealer Before You Commit

• Search the dealer or dealership name on Truxper to see if other buyers have reviewed them — a pattern of complaints about deposits or no-shows is a clear signal.

• Insist on a physical inspection, ideally with a trusted mechanic, before any money is discussed.

• Confirm the vehicle's history — accident record, previous ownership, and genuine mileage — independently where possible.

• Match the payment account name to the dealership, not a random personal name.

• Meet at the dealer's actual physical lot, not a random neutral location "for convenience."

Before You Pay a Deposit

A car deposit lost to a fake dealer is money you rarely get back. Take the extra few minutes to verify who you're dealing with.

Search Car Dealers on Truxper →