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Buyer protection

Trade safely, every time

Simple habits that protect your money and help you avoid the scams that target every online marketplace.

Your protection comes first

Most trades on LivestockMart go smoothly. These habits keep it that way and protect you from the small number of bad actors who target every marketplace.

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Inspect before you pay

Always see the animal in person, or send someone you trust. Photos can be stolen or staged — a physical check is your strongest protection.

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Never pay before inspection

The most common scam is "pay a deposit to reserve it." Don't. Real sellers expect payment when you collect, after you've seen the animal.

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Keep chat on-platform

If a seller rushes you onto WhatsApp or asks for a "commitment fee" before you've met, treat it as a red flag and report it.

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Ask for records

Request veterinary, health and vaccination records. For cross-state transport, confirm a valid livestock movement permit.

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Meet in safe places

Where possible, inspect and collect in public or well-known locations. Bring someone with you for large purchases.

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Report anything off

Use the Report button in any chat or listing. Flagging suspicious behaviour protects you and every other trader.

Scam phrases to watch for

Be cautious if a message includes any of these before you've met in person:

  • "Send a deposit / commitment fee to hold it"
  • "Pay the transporter / agent first and I'll release it"
  • "Let's continue on WhatsApp" (immediately, before any inspection)
  • "I'm travelling, my brother will deliver after payment"
  • A price far below the going market rate for that animal
Too good to be true? A mature Friesian cow listed at a fraction of the market price is the classic bait. Our system flags suspiciously low prices for review, but always trust your own judgement too.

How LivestockMart protects you

  • Watermarked photos — every uploaded image is stamped with livestockmart.ng, so scammers can't easily reuse your photos on fake pages.
  • Recorded messaging — in-app chat is stored so disputes can be investigated.
  • Verified Seller badges — look for the badge to identify sellers who've completed extra checks.
  • Price-anomaly review — listings priced far below market are held for a closer look.
  • Report tools — one tap flags a listing or chat to our team.
Remember: LivestockMart is a place to connect buyers and sellers. We are not a party to any sale, so your own caution is the most important safety tool you have. When in doubt, walk away.

Trade with confidence

Look for the Verified Seller badge and keep every step on-platform.

About verified sellers