A new technology platform, DoNotSell App, has been launched to help individuals and businesses verify ownership, identify potentially stolen items and reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions.
The platform is designed to give buyers and asset owners an additional layer of protection when buying, selling or transferring valuable items, particularly through online and peer-to-peer channels.
DoNotSell was developed in response to concerns around stolen property, fake vendors, online scams, disputed ownership and fraudulent listings.
According to its developers, the platform allows users to register valuable items and create a digital record that can alert potential buyers when an item has been flagged by its owner.
The app supports different categories of assets, including mobile phones, electronics, vehicles, gadgets, equipment, property and other transferable valuables.
How DoNotSell works
One of the platform’s key features is its verification system, which allows users to check an item before completing a transaction.
Buyers can use the platform to determine whether an item has been reported as stolen, flagged by its owner or otherwise marked as unavailable for sale.
The app also allows owners to register their valuables to their verified accounts. According to the app’s listings, anyone attempting to check or purchase a registered item can receive an ownership warning.
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This is intended to make it more difficult for stolen or disputed property to be resold without raising questions about its ownership.
The platform also provides notifications when someone searches for a registered item, allowing owners to be alerted when their property is being checked.
DoNotSell adds fraud reporting feature
Beyond checking individual items, DoNotSell includes a reporting feature called “Blacklist”.
The feature allows users to report vendors or individuals they believe are involved in fraudulent transactions. The app’s store listings say users can search for vendors using details such as a phone number, business name or social media handle before making a payment.
The reporting system is designed to help users share information about suspicious transactions and potentially prevent other people from falling victim to similar schemes.
The app’s description specifically mentions fraudulent activity involving online platforms and social media, as well as transactions conducted in person.
Developers target trust gap in digital commerce
Speaking on the launch, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Michael Nene said the platform was created to address the growing trust deficit in modern commerce.
“People are losing money daily through fake vendors, disputed ownership claims, fraudulent listings, and stolen property changing hands multiple times before the truth is discovered,” he said.
Nene said the platform was designed to help users verify what they are buying, who they are dealing with and whether an item has previously been flagged before completing a transaction.
Co-founder Olusoji Shitta said verification and accountability systems would become increasingly important as commerce moves further into digital and informal channels.
He said stolen items can continue circulating because they can often be resold, adding that reducing the ability to resell stolen property could also reduce the incentive for theft.
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Platform includes recovery support
DoNotSell also includes a recovery support feature for cases where a verification check raises concerns about an item’s ownership.
The feature allows users who identify suspicious ownership activity to discreetly notify the rightful owner, potentially improving the chances of tracing disputed or stolen property.
The developers said the platform is intended to provide practical tools for individuals, businesses, retailers and users of online marketplaces.
DoNotSell is currently available on Google Play and Apple’s App Store. The Google Play listing describes the app as free to use and says it allows users to protect belongings, verify items or businesses and report suspected scams.
The developers said future updates would expand the platform’s verification, reporting and recovery capabilities as it seeks to support safer transactions and improve accountability in digital commerce.
