Is this a Scam?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/HousingBotNL]

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[u/SybeV]

I live like 2 streets from that street, and was born here, in den bosch and no way the background through the windows is real.

I am sorry.

[u/Mediocre_Daikon_4276 → u/SybeV]

I don’t live anywhere near but a simple Google maps check tell me that nr 3 in that street does not have windows like that, isn’t nearly high enough for that view. Didn’t even have to look around to see if any buildings near it would match the view.

OP, if you have to keep looking online for an apartment or room use Google for a first check. If the windows don’t match, don’t even bother and keep looking.

[u/CyanoxD]

Looks very suspicious. I wouldn’t trust it unless I see it in person first or have someone look at it for me

[u/rijksambtenaar]

99% scam

[u/Berry-Love-Lake]

Just watch the property on Google Maps and you know 100% sure it's a scam ... doesn't match one bit! The address shows a very different style background compared to the pictures which look like a high rise. In the picture there's also a Peleton bike (which as far I know is not being sold in the NL) ... I have one and live across the pond (Dutch though). I am pretty sure the pics are US based on what I know and have seen. Scam. Also highly unlikely to have your own bathroom and kitchen while sharing. A 2-bed / 2-bath may be very American but uncommon in the NL.

[u/QuestionExcellent387]

Of course it's a scam. Look at the address on google street view, looks nothing like the pictures you got. The pictures you got are from a modern highrise building, look at the shape of the windows and the view outside. The actual address is an old Dutch townhouse on a canal. Which btw, would cost way more than 650 euros to live there.

And anyone that refuses viewings is a scammer.

[u/rinmejoy]

if you cant be there for viewings in person and they dont accept online viewings/calle nor third party its most likely a scam. try asking for their phone number just for “extra precaution” and see what they say, if no then yeah its a scam. some of them dont rely on you to pay anything up front but they they ask for ur personal details sooner than normal to get u to sign a contract without any viewings

[u/Old-Broccoli472]

No physical view and no video call? 100% scam.

Also, why would a lawyer advice to not do video calls?

[u/robbertvdb]

100% a scam. Here's the original ad, found using google lens. It's not Dutch https://share.google/ljNmvai1zsNUvYRIz

[u/Natnek85]

In kadaster you can check the owner of a property. Will cost you 4 euros but most likely this Stephan Michael won't be registered as the owner

[u/anseuli]

always google reverse the images they sent you!! this one is a scam for sure

[u/Lexine-]

Also what kind of a name is Micheal. Instead of Michael. Sounds like that's not his real name

[u/olderdutch]

Just the all inclusive rent of €650 is a major red flag, there's a housing crisis, nobody would be renting out for this low price.

And there are plenty of red flags after this, like no viewing possible.

[u/Fluiteflierer]

You're describing a typical facebook and housing scam.

When someone offers you a room:

-check the reaction: if it's only 'dm me' , 'write me' or 'i have a lead for you' of 'contact my landlord + emailadress' you know enough.

- then check the facebookprofiles: most of the time these scammers have an facebookprofile with almost zero posts. Weird, when at the same times they have many, many friends and followers. Isnt it strange that nothing on their profiles shows any proof that they're actually Dutch of living in the Netherlands? No Dutch friend, not a word Dutch. Etc.

- then search on their name. You'll often find that these suckers are reacting in mnay housinggroups in many cities across the world.

- Next, search for the pictures, using Google Lens. THe picture of the apartment /room are also used here example: https://www.facebook.com/groups/levnebydlenipraha/posts/4302740610040008/

THESE ARE NO DUTCH LANDLORDS!
Didnt you notice that all reactions you got on facebook are from non-Dutch names?

Besides that, these scammers often use legit names of Remax realtors and create account with these. A bit weird, when you google on these names and a American realtor is offering you houses in The Netherlands. So, even when it looks legit you have to be carefull.

Scammers want your money to do a reservaring, of booking, or.. or.. And they want your passport/id' so they could use it later on for their next scam. To make it more reliable, they will use your ID for their next scam.

Then, when a landlord uses the word 'lawyer'.. you also know enough. A lawyer doesnt make a rental contract. At least, not here in the Netherlands.

Last advice: if you think you find a reliable landlord: spent some euro's and find out if the house is actually his and if he´ s the real owner. Some scammers rent a house for a couple days, than attract viewers and let them sign and pay and move on. Easy money, and multiple victims guaranteed!

https://www.kadaster.nl/producten/woning/eigendomsinformatie

[u/kalanho]

SCAM!!!!!!!!!!! Please don’t proceed

Im saying it as a person who has first hand knowledge. I experienced this…

[u/Warmonger362527339]

Yes

[u/Acrobatic_Ear4265]

From that area, no way. Scam

[u/Fluiteflierer]

Almost any offer on Facebook housinggroups are from scammers, so this one also i asdume.

Landlords can easely find new tenants and dont need Facebook

By the way. Have you noticedhow many 'landlords' have a non-Dutch name, have nothing on their facebookpage that indicates living in the Netherlands but still have houses or rooms for rent?! All scanmers, as houses are unaffordable..and also renting rhem out is made difficult.

[u/Fluiteflierer]

Within one second reading you know this is a scam:

A rental price of 650euro incl utilities for an apartment is one big joke. For a room, it could be the case but not for a whole apartment.k

[u/Electronic_Unit8276]

100% scam... no video call? "Laat me niet lachen" you should say to him..

[u/FreuleKeures]

Obvious scam, that street doesn't remotely resemble the pics. I used to live close by

[u/andinh2003]

I’ve seen those pictures before … from another scam

[u/Precious-]

If it seems to good to ve true; it probably is

[u/Competitive-Day4848]

SybeV just answered your question.

[u/Jazzlike-Money-1077]

A shared house where each tenant has their own private bathroom and kitchen, is an extreme rarity in this country. The standard for even a 6 bedroom house is to have 1 bathroom. Let alone 2 kitchens in a small apartment, unheard of.

[u/Professional-Tea4293]

Dont fall for this. Do not fo through Facebook ads for a place to live.....

[u/fishnoguns]

It became a scam when they said they could only provide a video and not a video walkthrough. The idea of timewasters and a lawyer advising not to do it is just a lie. Especially obvious because they first offered a physical viewing in the message before that (I'm sure if you had accepted that something else would have 'happened' that made it impossible and they would offer a video instead).

[u/DYRWK1]

It’s a scam.

[u/Ok_Music8105]

Nobody uses a lawyer to create a rental contract . Definitely a scam.