A disturbing fraud scheme involving a Nigerian man operating under the alias “Assurance Exchange” has come to light, raising serious concerns among both residents and the Nigerian diaspora in Mauritius. The suspect, whose contact number is listed as +234 911 273 2726, is allegedly luring individuals into participating in organized financial scams, particularly targeting real estate transactions.
The fraudulent activity was uncovered through a screenshot shared in a public Nigerian WhatsApp group, where “Assurance Exchange” — who also refers to himself as an “Aza Man” (a slang term commonly used to describe individuals involved in shady financial dealings) — detailed a plan to intercept legitimate real estate payments and redirect funds into fraudulent accounts.
In the leaked conversation, the suspect describes a process he calls “Alibaba Settings,” a tactic that involves monitoring real estate negotiations between genuine clients and agents. Once a deal is about to close and the payment is ready to be made, the fraudsters would allegedly intervene by sending fake payment details to the buyer, posing as the legitimate seller or agent.
“Client wey wan buy house or real estate deal. After e don follow real estate agent talk price and time reach to make payment, we go intercept by sending our own payment details,” the suspect explained in Pidgin English, a popular Nigerian dialect.
“All Aza avaliable ” one of his fraud mate with contact listed +230 5490 3210 added 
He further claimed the fraudulent transaction could net up to $5 million in a single hit, highlighting the seriousness and high-stakes nature of the scheme. The conversation also revealed how the illicit proceeds would be shared — with 40% of the funds going to the operative carrying out the scam and another 40% to the so-called “aza man.”
However, the exposure of the plot has prompted calls for heightened vigilance, especially among real estate buyers and agents operating in Nigeria, Mauritius, and other regions with similar fraud risks. This is a warning that such tactics are part of a growing trend of business email compromise (BEC) and impersonation fraud, where criminals exploit moments of financial vulnerability — like property purchases — to intercept and redirect funds.
Public Caution Advised: Members of the public are urged to verify all payment instructions directly with real estate professionals through secure and established communication channels. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement or cybercrime authorities.
The name “Assurance Exchange” appears to be a cover identity, and efforts are ongoing to determine the real identity and network behind the scam, as report has been forwarded to the Cybercrime Unit of the Mauritius Police Force and the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The use of a Nigerian phone number suggests cross-border elements to the operation, which could bring international cooperation into the investigation.
The case highlights the growing sophistication of digital fraud and the need for constant awareness in financial transactions, especially in high-value sectors like real estate.
