Adana guide · 7 min read
How to Avoid Online Scams in Nigeria Using Escrow
Practical steps to avoid online scams in Nigeria — Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and WhatsApp deals — using escrow for secure payments.
Published 25 July 2026
Online scams in Nigeria often follow the same pattern: a tempting price on Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, or WhatsApp, pressure to pay quickly, then silence after a bank transfer. Escrow breaks that pattern by holding money until the deal is real.
This guide shows how buyers and sellers can use an escrow service like Adana to keep high-value online transactions safer — without relying on screenshots or “trust me” promises.
Why bank transfers alone leave you exposed
A normal bank transfer releases money immediately. If the seller never delivers, recovery is slow and uncertain. Fake payment alerts also trick sellers into releasing goods before funds truly arrive.
Escrow is different: the buyer pays into a held account first. Goods or services move next. Money releases only after confirmation. That single change removes most “pay and disappear” and “fake alert” scams.
A simple anti-scam checklist
1) Never send money to a personal account for a stranger deal. 2) Ask for an Adana invoice or payment link. 3) Pay the exact amount and use the invoice reference as narration. 4) Inspect goods before confirming. 5) Only release funds when you have what you paid for.
If someone refuses escrow, treat that as a warning — especially for electronics, phones, cars, and large marketplace purchases.
How Adana helps
Adana is built for secure payments between buyers and sellers in Nigeria and across Africa. Funds stay locked until delivery is verified, with tools like delivery OTP and dispute holds when something goes wrong.