Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
With the boom in online property sales in Zimbabwe, platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Groups, and WhatsApp Chats have become hotbeds for fake land sales.
In 2025 alone, at least 140 cases of land sale fraud were reported in Harare, Chitungwiza, and Ruwa, according to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Fraud Division.
This guide will help you spot these scams before you lose your hard-earned USD or ZIG.
1. Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is.
Red Flag:
Land in high-demand areas like Borrowdale, Bluffhill, or Westgate selling at "special prices" e.g. $5 per square metre.
Reality Check:
- In 2025, genuine serviced stands in Harare's suburbs range from $30–$50/sqm.
- Extremely low prices signal a possible scam or unserviced, illegal land.
2. No Title Deed or "Offer Letter" Provided? Walk Away.
Red Flag:
The seller claims, "The papers are coming," or promises to "sort out the paperwork later."
Proper Process:
- Every land sale in Zimbabwe MUST include a valid Title Deed or Council-issued Offer Letter.
- Without these, banks won't finance the property, and you can't legally register ownership.
Local Example:
In 2024, dozens of buyers in Damofalls Phase 6 lost money to sellers without proper council approval or documents.
3. Seller Refuses Physical Viewing or Meeting? Scam Alert.
Red Flag:
"We can’t meet in person I'm in South Africa / UK / out of town, but the land is available."
What to Do:
- Insist on a site visit.
- Verify the land’s location and boundaries via the local authority or Ministry of Lands.
2025 Update:
A spike in such cases on Facebook Buy & Sell Zimbabwe groups—scammers demand deposits, then disappear.
4. Payment Demands in Full or Urgent Deposits? Dangerous.
Red Flag:
"Send the full payment today via EcoCash or Mukuru to reserve the stand."
Tip:
- Never pay a deposit without a signed Agreement of Sale.
- Demand proof of ownership, verification by your lawyer or conveyancer.
2025 Case:
A recent scam in Chitungwiza Unit J saw 20 buyers lose deposits via WhatsApp to fake sellers using foreign numbers.
5. Inconsistent Contact Details or Anonymous Profiles? Suspicious.
Red Flag:
- Sellers using foreign WhatsApp numbers (+27, +44).
- Facebook profiles created recently, no mutual friends, fake photos.
Verify:
- Search their phone number on Truecaller.
- Check for their name on the Deeds Registry or with a licensed real estate agent.
2025 Note:
Authentic agents in Zimbabwe must be registered with the Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe (EACZ).
6. No Involvement of a Registered Conveyancer or Estate Agent? Risky.
Red Flag:
The deal is done "privately"—no lawyers, no agents involved.
Safest Practice:
- Use a registered conveyancer or certified estate agent.
- Property.co.zw partners only list vetted agents and developers to reduce this risk.
7. Suspicious Payment Channels
Red Flag:
Seller asks for payment via informal channels: Mukuru, Western Union to personal names, or Bitcoin.
Recommended: Always pay via traceable bank transfers to a registered company or estate agent trust account.
Bonus: 2025 Scam Statistics You Must Know
- 16% of land-related disputes reported to ZRP in 2024/25 were traced to Facebook Marketplace listings.
- WhatsApp scams are now the top method used by fake land "sellers" targeting diaspora buyers.
How to Stay Safe: Checklist Before Buying Land Online
- Confirm Title Deeds or Offer Letters with Deeds Registry or local council.
- Insist on a physical site visit.
- Use a registered conveyancer or agent.
- Never send money without legal paperwork.
- Verify seller identity via Truecaller, Google, and EACZ registry.
Conclusion: Don't Let Scammers Steal Your Dream Property
With Zimbabwe's land market booming in 2025, fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated. Whether you’re in the diaspora or local, protect your investment by staying alert, informed, and cautious.
For safe, verified land listings in Zimbabwe, always start your search at Property.co.zw.
