The 49-year-old man from Rotterdam was arrested on Tuesday morning in the vicinity of his home. His business premises were searched, and documents were seized. Various irregularities were found in the documents that are still under investigation. Additionally, around forty homes were visited. No criminal offenses were found in those homes.
 

Fraudulent Rentals

Illegal rentals and subletting, tenants being exploited, or people being pressured to rent their homes to third parties. These are some examples of fraudulent housing rentals. It can lead to properties being used for criminal activities, such as the storage of weapons, drugs, or criminal money, illegal prostitution, cannabis cultivation, or the production of drugs. Money laundering of criminal assets through the buying and selling of real estate or fraud with income data to obtain a (too high) mortgage also occurs regularly.

Reporting Helps

Fraudulent housing rentals can lead to nuisance and unsafe situations. With this action, the police sends a signal that fraudulent housing rentals are being addressed. The police investigates suspicious situations and conducts checks. Most undermining crime comes to light thanks to tips from citizens. Reporting suspicious situations helps prevent and solve crime in your own neighborhood.

How to Recognize Criminal Property Use?

Signals of criminal property use come in various forms. It can involve unusual activities, such as many cash payments, unusual times of activity, construction and demolition activities, and sealing off windows. The smell of cannabis or other drugs can also be a signal. Furthermore, changing contact persons, tenants who refuse checks, and a house that seems to be used for purposes other than habitation are all possible signals. 

Some specific signals that may indicate criminal property use:

• Notable Activities:
  • Many different people entering and exiting the property, especially in the evenings. 
  • Activity at unusual times, such as at night. 
  • Loading and unloading activities at unusual times. 
  • The presence of barrels with liquids. 
  • Cash or unusual payments. 
• Specific Characteristics:
  • Rental cars in front of the door. 
  • Windows sealed with foil. 
  • Grills in unusual places on the facade or roof. 
  • The house seems not to be used for habitation, for example, with little furniture. 
  • A house with few residents but a lot of activity. 
• Smells:
  • The smell of cannabis or other drugs. 
  • Chemical smell, such as almond, sweet, or acetone. 
• Strange Items:
  • Overstuffed mailbox. 
  • Tires or iron kettles. 
  • No snow on one roof. 
• Renovations:
  • Expensive renovations. 
  • Construction and demolition activities. 
• Other Signals:
  • Cash or unusual payments. 
  • Poor accessibility of the tenant. 
  • Changing contact persons. 
  • Tenants who refuse checks. 
  • A car with expensive items or jewelry and a small wallet. 
  • Little income but expensive clothing and new items. 
  • Cash payments. 
  • Strange opening hours. 
  • No website for the company. 
  • Lifestyle that they cannot afford. 
  • Unclear business activities. 
  • Driving luxury/expensive cars. 

Signals can be reported to the police at 0900-8844 or in emergency situations via 112. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can report via Meld Misdaad Anoniem at 0800-7000.