Searching for a home online saves real time. That convenience also attracts fraudsters, who rely on urgency and on buyers who lack reference points. Most scams follow the same patterns, though, and a few simple habits are enough to stay safe.

Warning signs to watch

A price far below the market is rarely a bargain. It is often the bait of a fake listing. Be wary too when someone pushes you to reserve quickly, claiming the property will be gone by the end of the day.

• The seller refuses any viewing, or keeps postponing it.
• You are asked for a deposit, a bond or a file fee before you have even seen the property.
• The contact says they are abroad and offers to send the keys against a payment.
• The conversation moves off the platform straight away, to a personal number.
• The photos look too perfect, or appear identically on other listings.

Checks before any payment

One rule works as a compass: never pay for a property you have not visited, or a person whose identity you have not checked.

• Visit the property, or have a trusted friend visit if you are far away.
• Verify the identity of the seller, or the agency's mandate. A serious agency shows its registration without any fuss.
• Ask for the documents: title deed for a purchase, ID, and for a rental the lease plus the exact security deposit.
• Prefer traceable payments and refuse transfers to unknown personal accounts.

What a verified listing changes

On Imonga, agencies whose identity and trade registration have been checked carry a "Verified" badge. Messages go through the platform, which keeps a record and avoids sharing your contact details too early. This does not replace your own care, but it clearly lowers the risk.

If you have a doubt or face a scam

If something makes you uncomfortable, stop. Pay nothing, keep the messages and screenshots, then report the listing. A doubt is always better than a lost transfer.

Taking time to check has never cost anyone a good deal. It protects your money and your peace of mind, in Lomé as in Abidjan, in Accra as in Dakar.