FG launches digital portal to tackle Housing Estate fraud

The Federal Government has unveiled a new digital platform where Nigerians can report fraudulent activities in housing estates, upload evidence, and monitor the progress of their complaints.

The initiative, announced in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD) on Tuesday, featured demonstrations by technical consultants Messrs Freestone Investments Limited and Messrs Prunedge Development Technologies Limited.

According to the Ministry, fraudulent practices in housing estates will no longer be tolerated, and offenders will be prosecuted. The Housing Fraud Reporting Portal, accessible via https://reports.fmhud.gov.ng, provides citizens with a secure and user-friendly system to submit complaints, share evidence, and follow up on cases. Submissions will be jointly reviewed by the Ministry, professional bodies, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary.

“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has launched a Housing Fraud Reporting web-based platform aimed at allowing citizens to report incidents of fraud in housing estates. The platform with the sub-domain name https://reports.fmhud.gov.ng enables users to submit complaints and share relevant evidence and information on fraudulent practices in the real estate sector, in the country,” the statement read in part.

In addition, the Ministry introduced the Contract Performance and Compliance Project Monitoring System (CPCPMS), designed to enhance oversight of housing projects. The system allows real-time tracking of project progress, assessment of contractor performance, and storage of key documents such as payment certificates and Bills of Quantities.

Housing Minister, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, said the initiative aligns with the 2012 National Housing Policy, which mandates stricter regulation of the housing industry, certification of estate developers, and protection of citizens from fraudulent actors. He stressed that the policy also calls for a robust legal and regulatory framework to ensure proper monitoring of housing delivery.

Deputy Director and Head of the Ministry’s ICT Department, Dr. Marcus Amiolemen, added that both platforms reflect the Ministry’s commitment to protecting citizens and improving transparency. He further revealed that the fraud portal was developed in partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure effective tracking and follow-up of reported cases.