On the buy side, you already completed the exchange’s baseline KYC. A merchant may still ask for payment proof inside the order chat—that can be normal. What is *not* normal is a request to continue “verification” on WhatsApp/Telegram with selfies, video calls, bank app screen recordings, or “show me your email OTP.” That pattern is aligned with account takeover and social engineering, not healthy P2P hygiene.
If you feel rude saying no, remember: polite boundaries are how professionals trade. Escrow exists so both sides can keep receipts in one place.
Green flags vs red flags (quick scan)
- Green: asks for in-order proof aligned with the ticket (e.g., masked transfer receipt, matching payer name).
- Green: asks you to follow published payment instructions on the order screen.
- Red: asks you to install AnyDesk/TeamViewer “so I can help you.”
- Red: asks for seed phrase, exchange password, 2FA OTP, or SMS forwarding.
- Red: asks you to send a “verification payment” to a personal Opay line not listed on the order.
What to type when you refuse (copy-ready)
Keep it short and logged in venue chat: “I can only share KYC/payment proof inside this order per exchange rules. If you need additional verification, please use official appeal/support—I won’t move to WhatsApp or share OTP/screen recordings.”
How to exit without drama
- Stop sending sensitive data immediately.
- If funds are at risk, follow the venue’s cancel/appeal flow and attach in-app chat evidence.
- Pick a different merchant with clearer method text and stronger trust signals on https://ngn.lol/board.
- If impersonation is suspected, use your exchange’s fraud reporting channel—see our reporting orientation article below.
Shortlisting safer rows (before you even open chat)
Use the board to bias toward repeatable settlement: strict name match when you need it, payment filters that match your funded rails, and drawer details that reduce “surprise rules” after you open the ticket.
📚 Internal links
- Never pay outside escrow — https://ngn.lol/blog/never-pay-outside-venue-escrow-ngn-p2p-safety
- Voice-note impostor pattern — https://ngn.lol/blog/scam-guard-vendor-impostor-voice-note-verification-ngn-p2p-2026
- Fake support / typosquat — https://ngn.lol/blog/nigeria-p2p-fake-support-typosquat-phishing-p2pindex-2026
- Where to report (public orientation) — https://ngn.lol/blog/nigeria-p2p-where-to-report-public-resources-2026
- Buy-side board workflow — https://ngn.lol/blog/buy-crypto-ngn-p2p-buy-side-p2pindex-board-workflow
⚖️Disclaimer
Educational security guidance—not exchange policy. If you are unsure, pause the trade and ask official in-app support.