How to check a phone before you buy it in Nigeria
Last reviewed 29 October 2026
The short answer
Do two checks before you pay. Check the phone: get its IMEI by dialling *#06# on it, then check it by dialling *315# or on the NCC's Device Checker. Check the seller: look up the account number you're paying on PeerVet. Since October 2026, phones that fail NCC verification can be cut off from Nigerian networks.
“Before you buy the phone, dial *315# and confirm that the phone is fully verified before you pay.”
What the NCC check tells you
- A passing result
- The phone's model has NCC type approval and this particular handset is verified for Nigerian networks. It says nothing about the seller, the phone's condition, or whether the price is fair.
- A failed result
- The NCC says a failed check doesn't by itself prove a phone is fake. It may be an unapproved import, for example. But a phone that stays unverified can lose network access, so don't pay until the seller sorts it out. The NCC places that responsibility on sellers and importers, not buyers.
- Used phones too
- A phone that has been used in Nigeria before still needs checking. Earlier use on a network doesn't guarantee it passes now.
Before you pay
1.Get the IMEI from the phone itself
Dial *#06# on the phone you're buying. It shows the 15-digit IMEI. If it doesn't match the number on the box or in the phone's settings, stop there.
Buying online? Ask the seller for the IMEI before you pay, and ask them to dial *#06# on a video call so you can see it come from the phone.
2.Check it with the NCC
Dial *315# and follow the prompts (option 1 checks a device), or enter the IMEI on the NCC's Device Checker website.
3.If it fails, don't pay yet
Ask the seller to resolve it and show you a passing result. A seller who won't, or who says the check doesn't matter, is telling you something.
4.Check the seller
Look up the bank account or phone number you're asked to pay. Other buyers may have reported it.
5.Keep the evidence
Screenshot the passing check, the chat and the seller's details, and keep your receipt. You'll need them if anything goes wrong.
Red flags
- The price is far below what the same phone sells for elsewhere.
- The seller won't share the IMEI, or it doesn't match the box.
- You're told the NCC check “doesn't apply” to this phone.
- You're pushed to pay before you can check the phone.
- You're asked to pay into an account in a different name from the seller's.
- Someone asks you for a code sent to your phone. The NCC warns never to share one-time codes.
The NCC's rollout began in October 2026 and its details may change. Check ncc.gov.ng for the latest guidance.
If you've already paid and something's wrong
- Contact the seller and ask them to resolve the verification or refund you.
- Call 315 for help with the device checker, or 622 to make a consumer complaint to the NCC.
- If the seller disappears, contact your bank about the payment.
- Report the seller on PeerVet so the next buyer who checks them is warned.
Related guides
Check the phone with *315#. Check the person you're paying with PeerVet. Free, no account needed.
Check a seller