10 Red Flags Every Buyer Should Watch For (The Ultimate Due Diligence Checklist)
According to the FBI's Internet Crime Report, Nigerians lost over $300 million to online scams in 2023 alone. Many of these were digital asset transactions gone wrong.
The scammer's best weapon is urgency. Your best weapon is patience.
In December 2024, a Lagos entrepreneur lost N750,000 buying a "verified" Instagram account. The seller had reviews, screenshots, and even a video call. The account was stolen. The seller disappeared. The money was gone forever.
Before you send a Kobo, run the account through this 10-Point Red Flag Checklist. If you see even ONE of these, abort the mission.
Table of Contents
The 10 Red Flags
🚩 Red Flag #1: Refusal to Use Escrow
The Script: "Escrow takes too long/is too expensive. Just send me 50% now and 50% after."
The Reality:
Escrow protects THEM too. Any seller refusing a secure middleman is planning to run. Sellibly escrow costs 5-10% - a small price for N500,000 protection. Never compromise on this.
🚩 Red Flag #2: "The Traveler" Excuse
The Script: "I'm currently in Dubai/London/Space so my bank is acting up, please pay via Crypto/Gift Cards."
The Reality:
They want untraceable payment methods. Once you send Crypto or gift cards, it is gone forever. Banks work everywhere. Stick to Bank Transfers into Escrow accounts.
🚩 Red Flag #3: Inconsistent Identity
The Test:
- Name on Instagram Profile: "Michael"
- Name on Email: "Sarah"
- Name on Bank Account: "Chinedu"
The Reality:
Scammers juggle multiple stolen identities. If the names do not match across platforms, run. Ask for ID verification.
🚩 Red Flag #4: The "Too Good To Be True" Price
The Scenario: A monetized YouTube channel with 100k subscribers selling for N500,000.
The Reality:
A channel like that earns N500k/month. Why would they sell it for 1 month's revenue? It is likely stolen or botted. Real assets cost real money. If it is 50% below market rate, it is a scam.
🚩 Red Flag #5: Extreme Urgency
The Script: "I have 3 other buyers. If you do not pay in the next hour, I am selling to them."
The Reality:
Scammers create false urgency to bypass your logic. A real seller will wait 24-48 hours for due diligence. If they rush you, they are hiding something.
🚩 Red Flag #6: No Video Call Verification
The Script: "My camera is broken" or "I am too busy for calls."
The Reality:
Everyone has a working camera in 2025. A 5-minute video call where they log into the account live proves ownership. No call = No deal.
🚩 Red Flag #7: Suspicious Account History
The Check: Look at old posts. If the account was about "Fitness" 6 months ago and is now "Crypto," it was likely hacked and rebranded.
The Reality:
Scammers buy hacked accounts, delete old content, and rebrand. Check archives. Sudden niche changes = stolen account.
🚩 Red Flag #8: Gmail/Yahoo Email Address
The Pattern: Seller uses "randomname12345@gmail.com" instead of a professional email.
The Reality:
Professional sellers have branded emails (name@sellibly.com). Free emails are disposable and untraceable. Not a dealbreaker, but combined with other flags, it is suspicious.
🚩 Red Flag #9: No Original Email (OGE) Access
The Claim: "I lost access to the original email, but I have full control of the account."
The Reality:
Without OGE, the original owner can recover the account anytime using "Forgot Password." You will lose the account and your money. Demand OGE or walk away.
🚩 Red Flag #10: Seller Has Multiple "Urgent" Listings
The Pattern: Check their profile. They are selling 10 accounts this week, all "urgent."
The Reality:
Professional flippers exist, but if someone is selling 10 accounts in 7 days with urgent deadlines, they are likely selling stolen accounts before they get recovered.
Verification Techniques That Actually Work
The "Bio Change" Test
Before you buy, ask the seller to do one simple thing:
"Please change the bio of the account to read: 'Hello [Your Name] 123'"
If they own the account, this takes 10 seconds.
If they make excuses ("I am away from my PC", "My team handles logins"), they DO NOT own the account. They are trying to sell you something they do not have.
The "Live Login" Video Call
Schedule a 5-minute video call. Ask them to:
- Log into the account on camera
- Show the email/phone number linked to it
- Navigate to Settings > Security to show no suspicious logins
- Change the bio to your requested text
If they cannot do this live, they do not own it.
The "Screenshots Can Be Faked" Rule
Do not trust screenshots of analytics. Right-click > Inspect Element allows anyone to turn 1,000 views into 1,000,000 views in 5 seconds.
The Solution: Ask for a Screen Recording. Tell them to refresh the page in the video. It is much harder to fake a live refresh.
Real Scam Case Studies
Case Study 1: The N750,000 Verified Account Scam
Victim: Lagos entrepreneur, 32 years old
The Bait: 150k follower verified Instagram account for N750,000
Red Flags Missed:
- • Seller refused Escrow ("I have been scammed before, I do not trust it")
- • Demanded payment via Bitcoin
- • Had 5 other "urgent" listings that week
Outcome: Paid N750,000. Received login details. Account was recovered by original owner 2 days later. Seller disappeared. Money gone.
Case Study 2: The Fake Analytics Scam
Victim: Content creator, 24 years old
The Bait: YouTube channel "making N200k/month" for N1,500,000
Red Flags Missed:
- • Seller only sent screenshots (no screen recording)
- • Refused video call ("Camera broken")
- • Price was 40% below market rate
Outcome: Bought the channel. Real revenue was N15,000/month (not N200k). Screenshots were edited. Lost N1,350,000 in value.
How to Protect Yourself (The Checklist)
✅ Pre-Purchase Checklist
- ☐ Seller agrees to use Sellibly Escrow
- ☐ Seller's name matches across all platforms (email, bank, social media)
- ☐ Price is within 20% of market rate (not suspiciously cheap)
- ☐ Seller completed live video call showing account access
- ☐ Seller changed bio to your requested text
- ☐ Account history is consistent (no sudden niche changes)
- ☐ Seller has Original Email (OGE) access
- ☐ Analytics verified via screen recording (not screenshots)
- ☐ No extreme urgency or pressure tactics
- ☐ Seller has positive reviews from verified buyers
If you cannot check ALL 10 boxes, do not buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the seller has good reviews?
Reviews can be faked. Check if reviewers have real profiles with history. A profile created last week with one review is fake.
Can I get my money back if I get scammed?
If you used Sellibly Escrow, yes. If you sent money directly, no. This is why Escrow is non-negotiable.
What if the seller seems genuine but refuses video call?
Walk away. Everyone has a camera. If they cannot spend 5 minutes proving ownership, they do not own it.
How do I know if a price is "too good to be true"?
Check Sellibly marketplace for similar accounts. If the price is 40%+ below average, it is suspicious.
What should I do if I already got scammed?
1. Report to Sellibly immediately. 2. Report to your bank (if paid via bank transfer). 3. File a police report. 4. Share the scammer's details publicly to warn others.
Can scammers fake video calls?
Yes, using pre-recorded videos. Solution: Ask them to do something specific live (change bio, refresh page, show today's date on screen).
"Trust, but Verify." - Then verify again.
Your N500,000 is worth 10 minutes of due diligence. Do not let urgency override your logic. Scammers count on you being too excited to think clearly.
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