How Carlots.ng is eliminating fake car listings, introduces manual approval

Nigeria’s online car market has long been plagued by fake listings, with unsuspecting buyers often losing millions of naira to fraudulent adverts.

In response to the growing problem, vehicle marketplace Carlots.ng said it has introduced a manual approval process for every car before it goes live on its platform.

The company explained that cars will no longer appear instantly once uploaded by sellers. Instead, each listing will undergo checks by its internal team to verify ownership documents, confirm the authenticity of photographs, and cross-reference model details and prices. Only after these steps are completed will the advert be published.

Fake listings have become a widespread issue in the country, with scammers frequently recycling photos of cars from foreign websites or advertising vehicles that do not exist at suspiciously low prices. Victims are often convinced to pay deposits and are left stranded when the cars fail to materialize. Industry experts note that this practice has undermined public trust in online marketplaces.

Automotive analysts say Carlots.ng’s move may help restore confidence among buyers, particularly first-time car owners who are often the most vulnerable.

However, they caution that manual approval alone will not completely eliminate fraudulent activity, urging consumers to remain vigilant and conduct their own checks before making payments.

Consumer protection groups have also welcomed the development but stressed the need for broader awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians on spotting suspicious adverts. They note that with the rising cost of imported vehicles, more people are turning to online platforms for used cars, making security and transparency a growing concern.

The decision by Carlots.ng reflects a wider push across Nigeria’s digital commerce sector to address fraud and credibility issues. Whether other platforms will follow suit remains to be seen, but the move highlights the increasing importance of trust in a market where vehicles remain one of the biggest investments for many Nigerians.