If you want to buy land on Facebook without getting scammed, you’re not alone. Facebook Marketplace and land investing groups have become some of the best places to find affordable land deals, but they’ve also attracted scammers who target first-time buyers. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to spot fake listings, verify real properties, and safely buy land on Facebook Marketplace or Groups without risking your money.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Facebook is where we sell 75% of our parcels—but scammers know this too, making verification essential before you commit
- Six red flags instantly identify fake listings: new accounts with no history, prices 40%+ below market, sellers who won’t talk on the phone, stolen photos, and refusal to provide parcel numbers
- Three simple verification steps take 15 minutes and eliminate 95% of scams: reverse image search, county record check, and phone call verification
Here’s something that might surprise you: Facebook is one of the best places to find land deals.
Not just good deals—great deals. Seller-financed land with low down payments. Properties in growing areas. Legitimate sellers who want to move their land quickly.
About 75% of our buyers at Smart Land Investors first discovered us on Facebook. Many came from Facebook Marketplace or land investing groups. It’s where real people find real land.
But here’s the reality: scammers know this too.
They know that Facebook attracts first-time land buyers who might not know what to look for. They know that the platform makes it easy to create fake profiles, post fake listings, and disappear after getting your money.
So the question isn’t “Should I look for land on Facebook?”
The question is: “How do I separate real deals from scams?”
Why Facebook Works for Land (And Why It’s Easy to Get Scammed)
Let me start with the good news: Facebook is a legitimate marketplace for land.
Here’s why:
Real sellers use Facebook because it’s free and reaches real buyers. Listing land on traditional real estate sites costs money. Facebook Marketplace is free. For small sellers—especially those offering owner financing—Facebook makes sense.
Facebook Groups connect buyers and sellers directly. There are dozens of active land investing groups where real people buy and sell parcels every day. No middlemen. No commissions. Just direct transactions.
The platform works for normal people. You don’t need to be a professional investor or understand complicated real estate jargon. You can browse, ask questions, and connect with sellers—all from your phone.
That accessibility is powerful. It’s how people like Luis (from our earlier stories) become landowners for the first time.
But that same accessibility creates opportunity for scammers:
Anyone can create a Facebook profile. No verification required. No business license needed. A scammer can set up a fake account in 10 minutes.
Listings can be posted instantly. No approval process. No fact-checking. Someone can steal photos from a legitimate listing, repost them with a fake price, and start collecting deposits within hours.
Communication happens privately. Once you move to Facebook Messenger, there’s no public accountability. Scammers can pressure you, make false promises, and disappear—and no one else sees it.
So yes, Facebook works. But you need to know what to look for.
The Six Red Flags That Scream “Scam”
In my years helping buyers navigate Facebook land deals, I’ve seen the same scam patterns repeatedly.
Here are the six red flags that should make you pause immediately:
Red Flag #1: The Account is Brand New (Created Within the Last 90 Days)
Click on the seller’s profile. Look at when they joined Facebook.
If the account is less than 90 days old and has minimal activity, that’s a red flag.
Real sellers have established profiles. They have friends. They have post history. They’ve been on Facebook for years.
Scammers create fresh accounts specifically to run scams. Once they get caught or reported, they delete the account and create a new one.
What to do: Ask yourself: “Would a real person selling legitimate land have a 2-week-old Facebook account with 14 friends and no posts?” Probably not.
Red Flag #2: No Reviews, No Verifiable Business Presence
If someone is selling multiple land parcels, they’re essentially running a business.
Real land businesses have:
- Reviews or testimonials (on their Facebook page, Google, or website)
- A verifiable company name you can look up
- A business website or at least detailed contact information
- Presence in land investing groups with history of completed transactions
If someone is selling land but has zero online presence beyond one Facebook listing, that’s suspicious.
In my experience, legitimate sellers want to build trust. They show you previous deals. They provide references. They have an established reputation.
Scammers have none of that—because they can’t.
What to do: Google the seller’s name or company name. Look for reviews. Ask in Facebook groups: “Has anyone worked with [seller name]?” Real sellers will have history. Scammers won’t.
Red Flag #3: No Clear Profile Photo or Business Logo
Look at the seller’s profile picture.
Real sellers use:
- Clear photo of themselves (if individual seller)
- Business logo (if company)
- Consistent branding across their posts and listings
Scammers often use:
- Generic landscape photos
- Stock images
- Cartoon avatars
- No profile picture at all
Why? Because they don’t want to be identifiable. The moment someone reports them or figures out it’s a scam, they delete everything and start over.
What to do: If you’re buying land from someone and you can’t even see who they are, ask yourself why they’re hiding.
Red Flag #4: The Price is “Too Good to Be True” (40%+ Below Market)
Here’s a simple rule: If the price seems impossibly low, there’s usually a reason.
I’m not saying all cheap land is a scam. Sometimes sellers are motivated—they inherited land they don’t want, they need cash quickly, or they’re tired of paying taxes on it.
But when you see land listed at 40-50% below comparable sales in the same area, it’s worth investigating why.
Common scam scenario:
- Scammer finds a legitimate listing for $25,000
- Scammer steals the photos and description
- Scammer reposts it on Facebook for $12,000 (“must sell fast, relocating”)
- Buyer thinks they found an amazing deal
- Buyer sends deposit
- Scammer disappears
What to do: Before getting excited about an unbelievably low price, check comparable sales in the area (we’ll cover how in a moment). If similar land sold for $20K-$25K in the last year and this one is listed at $10K, ask why.
Legitimate sellers will explain the discount: “It’s landlocked,” “It’s in a flood zone,” “There are access issues,” “The zoning is limited.”
Scammers will just say: “I need to sell fast.”
Red Flag #5: Seller Won’t Provide the Parcel Number (APN) Upfront
Every piece of land has a unique identifier called an APN (Assessor’s Parcel Number) or parcel ID.
This number allows you to look up the property on county websites and verify:
- Who actually owns it
- The property boundaries
- Tax status
- Zoning
- Comparable sales
Legitimate sellers provide the APN immediately. Why? Because they want you to verify everything. Transparency builds trust.
Scammers refuse to provide the APN or make excuses:
- “I’ll give you that after you put down a deposit”
- “I don’t have it in front of me right now”
- “Just look at the photos, the property is beautiful”
Why won’t they provide it? Because the moment you look it up, you’ll see they don’t own it.
In my years working with buyers, I’ve learned this pattern: If someone won’t give you the parcel number, walk away.There’s no legitimate reason to withhold it.
What to do: In your very first message to the seller, ask: “What’s the APN or parcel number?” If they won’t provide it immediately, move on.
Red Flag #6: Seller Refuses to Talk on the Phone
This one is huge.
Scammers prefer to communicate only through Facebook Messenger or text. Why?
- They can copy and paste responses to multiple victims at once
- They avoid giving away their real voice, location, or identity
- They can ghost you easily without any real-time confrontation
Legitimate sellers will get on the phone. They’ll answer your questions. They’ll walk you through the property details. They want to build rapport and close the deal.
If someone is selling $15,000-$50,000 worth of land but won’t spend 10 minutes on the phone with you, that’s a massive red flag.
What to do: Early in your conversation, say: “I’m interested. Can we schedule a quick call to discuss?”
If they refuse or keep making excuses, walk away.
How to Buy Land on Facebook Without Getting Scammed: The 3-Step Verification Process
Now let me show you how to verify any Facebook land listing in about 15 minutes.
This process eliminates 95% of scams before you waste time or money.
Step 1: Reverse Image Search the Photos (2 Minutes)
Scammers steal photos from legitimate listings. You can catch this immediately with a reverse image search.
How to do it:
- Right-click on one of the listing photos (or long-press on mobile)
- Select “Search image with Google” or save the photo and upload it to Google Images
- Look at the results
What you’re looking for:
- Does this same photo appear on other listings?
- Is it listed by different sellers in different locations?
- Does it appear on a legitimate real estate website with different information?
If the photo appears in multiple places with different sellers or details, that’s a stolen image. The listing is fake.
If the photo only appears in that one Facebook listing or on the seller’s legitimate website, it’s likely original.
Real example from my experience:
A buyer once showed me a Facebook listing: “5 acres, $8,000, must sell this week.”
I reverse-searched the main photo. It appeared on:
- A LandWatch listing from 2019 (same photo, different seller)
- A Pinterest board titled “Dream Properties”
- Three other Facebook listings in different states
That listing was 100% fake. The buyer never sent money. One reverse image search saved them $8,000.
Step 2: Verify Ownership on County Records (5 Minutes)
Once you have the parcel number (APN), verify who actually owns the property.
How to do it:
- Google “[County name] property assessor” or “parcel search”
- Go to the official county website
- Enter the parcel number
- Look at the “Owner Name” field
What you’re checking:
- Does the owner name match the Facebook seller’s name?
- If it’s a business name, does the seller represent that business?
- If the names don’t match, can the seller explain why?
Legitimate reasons names might not match:
- Property is in a trust or LLC, and seller is the authorized representative
- Property is part of an estate sale, and seller is the executor
- Seller is an authorized agent for the owner
Red flags:
- Owner name is completely different with no explanation
- Seller refuses to explain the name mismatch
- Seller says “don’t worry about it, we’ll handle it at closing”
What to do: If the names don’t match, ask the seller directly: “The county shows [NAME] as the owner. Can you explain?”
Legitimate sellers will provide documentation (death certificates for estates, trust documents, business registration, power of attorney, etc.).
Scammers will dodge the question or disappear.
Step 3: Get on the Phone and Ask These Five Questions (8 Minutes)
If the listing passes Steps 1 and 2, request a phone call.
Here are the five questions to ask:
Question 1: “How long have you owned this property?”
Real sellers know their history. Scammers will be vague or make up answers.
Question 2: “Why are you selling?”
Listen to their answer. Real sellers have specific reasons: “I inherited it and don’t want to pay taxes,” “I’m liquidating my portfolio,” “I bought it as an investment and I’m ready to cash out.”
Scammers give generic answers: “I need money fast,” “Just selling it.”
Question 3: “Are there any liens or back taxes on the property?”
Real sellers who’ve done their homework will know the answer. They’ll say: “No, title is clear” or “There’s a small tax balance we’re clearing before closing.”
Scammers won’t know what you’re talking about or will brush it off.
Question 4: “Can I visit the property, or can you send me recent photos/videos?”
Real sellers encourage site visits. They’ll offer to meet you there or send you fresh photos/videos.
Scammers will make excuses: “It’s really far,” “I’m out of state right now,” “Just look at the listing photos.”
Question 5: “How does the closing process work? What documentation will you provide?”
Real sellers have thought through the process. They’ll explain: “We’ll sign a purchase agreement, you’ll verify everything with the county, we’ll transfer the deed.”
Scammers will be vague or try to rush: “Just send the money and I’ll send you the paperwork.”
If the seller answers all five questions clearly and confidently, they’re likely legitimate.
If they’re vague, evasive, or annoyed by your questions, walk away.
How to Use Facebook Groups Safely
Facebook Groups are different from Marketplace. They tend to have more community accountability, but scams still happen.
Here’s how to use groups safely:
1. Join established groups with active moderation.
Look for groups that:
- Have clear rules posted
- Require admin approval for posts
- Have moderators who remove scam posts
- Have been around for 6+ months with regular activity
Good signs in a group:
- People ask questions and get helpful answers
- Members share completed deals and reviews
- Admins warn about known scammers
Bad signs:
- No moderation, spam everywhere
- No community interaction, just listings
- Group was recently created
2. Check the seller’s post history in the group.
Click on their profile and filter by posts in that specific group.
Have they:
- Posted multiple properties over time?
- Answered questions from other members?
- Completed deals with verifiable buyers?
Or did they just join the group yesterday and post one listing?
3. Ask other group members about the seller.
Post in the group: “Has anyone worked with [seller name]? Looking for feedback before I move forward.”
Real sellers with good reputations will have members vouching for them.
Scammers won’t have any history.
4. Still do all the verification steps.
Even in a trusted group, verify everything:
- Reverse image search
- County ownership check
- Phone call with the five questions
Group membership doesn’t guarantee legitimacy. Always verify.
The “Legitimate Seller” Checklist
Here’s what legitimate Facebook land sellers do:
✓ Provide the parcel number (APN) immediately when asked
✓ Get on the phone to discuss the property
✓ Show you where to verify ownership on county websites
✓ Encourage site visits or provide recent, original photos/videos
✓ Clearly explain the closing process and documentation
✓ Have an online presence beyond Facebook (website, Google reviews, history in groups)
✓ Answer all your questions patiently (they want educated buyers)
✓ Provide references from past buyers (if they’ve sold multiple properties)
If someone checks all these boxes, they’re almost certainly legitimate.
If they check none of them, it’s almost certainly a scam.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
If something feels off, here’s what to do:
1. Stop communicating immediately. Don’t try to “catch” the scammer or call them out. Just stop.
2. Don’t send any money. No deposits, no wire transfers, nothing. Once money is sent to a scammer, it’s gone.
3. Report the listing. On Facebook Marketplace or in groups, click “Report” and select “Scam or fraud.”
4. Warn others. If you’re in a Facebook Group, post: “This listing appears to be a scam. Here’s why: [explain].” You might save someone else.
5. Move on to the next opportunity. Don’t let one bad experience scare you away from Facebook entirely. Just learn from it and keep verifying.
Real Facebook Deals Do Exist (Here’s How to Find Them)
I don’t want you to walk away from this thinking Facebook is all scams. It’s not.
Every week, legitimate land deals close through Facebook. Real sellers. Real buyers. Real land.
Here’s how to find the good ones:
Focus on sellers who:
- Have been on Facebook for years
- Have a business website you can verify
- Provide full transparency (parcel numbers, county info, tax status)
- Welcome your due diligence
- Get on the phone to build trust
- Clearly explain how closing will work
Apply the Smart 7 System to every property:
Even if the seller is 100% legitimate, the property still needs to pass all 7 due diligence points:
- Population growth in the area
- Clear ownership and title
- No back taxes or liens
- Zoning allows your intended use
- Legal access and usable slope
- Strong supply vs. demand
- Fair pricing based on comps
A real seller + a property that passes all 7 points = a smart land investment.
That’s the formula.
Why We Use Facebook (And Why We’re Transparent About It)
At Smart Land Investors, about 75% of our buyers find us through Facebook.
We list properties on the Marketplace. We’re active in land investing groups. We answer questions publicly.
Why? Because Facebook works. It connects us with real people who want to own land—people like Luis, Sarah, and Mark who might not find us otherwise.
But I’ve also seen too many buyers get scammed on Facebook. That’s why we do things differently:
✓ We provide parcel numbers in every listing
✓ We welcome phone calls (and encourage them)
✓ We show buyers how to verify ownership themselves
✓ We run every property through the Smart 7 System before listing it
✓ We provide all documentation upfront so you can verify everything
In my years working with buyers, I’ve learned that transparency builds trust. And trust creates long-term relationships.
If a seller—on Facebook or anywhere else—isn’t willing to be transparent, that tells you everything you need to know.
Your Action Plan
If you’re looking for land on Facebook, here’s what to do:
Step 1: Download the Smart 7 Due Diligence Checklist
This is your protection against bad deals—scams or just bad properties. Use it on every listing you consider.
[Download the Free Smart 7 Checklist →]
Step 2: Screen Listings Using the Six Red Flags
Before you even message a seller, check:
- Account age and activity
- Profile photo and business presence
- Pricing compared to comps
- Whether they’ll provide the parcel number
If red flags appear, move on.
Step 3: Verify Every Listing
Use the three-step process:
- Reverse image search (2 minutes)
- County ownership check (5 minutes)
- Phone call with five questions (8 minutes)
Step 4: Only Work with Transparent Sellers
If someone provides the parcel number, gets on the phone, encourages verification, and clearly explains the closing process—they’re likely legitimate.
If someone dodges questions, won’t talk on the phone, and pressures you to move fast, walk away.
Step 5: Apply the Smart 7 System
Even with a legitimate seller, the property still needs to pass all 7 due diligence points. Don’t skip this.
The Bottom Line
Facebook is one of the best places to find land deals. Real sellers use it. Real buyers use it. Real transactions happen every day.
But scammers use it too.
The difference between a great deal and a $15,000 loss is 15 minutes of verification.
Reverse image search the photos. Check county ownership records. Get on the phone. Ask questions.
Legitimate sellers welcome your due diligence. Scammers don’t.
Trust the process, verify everything, and you’ll find real land at real prices—safely.
Ready to buy land the smart, safe way?
[Download the Free Smart 7 Due Diligence Checklist] and start evaluating Facebook listings like a pro.
About the Author:
Joshua Kagan founded Smart Land Investors to make land ownership accessible to everyday people. After helping hundreds of buyers navigate Facebook Marketplace and groups, he’s seen both the opportunity and the risks. His mission: teach people to buy land the smart, safe way—whether from Facebook, traditional listings, or anywhere else.