Housing scams targeting labour migrants: red flags and verification

Why are labour migrants targeted more often?

Anyone who is new, does not yet speak the language and urgently needs housing is an attractive target. Scammers deliberately exploit this. They post listings in Facebook and Telegram groups in Polish, Romanian or other languages, pose as a helpful fellow countryman and ask for a down payment 'to secure the room'.

The basic patterns are the same as with other room scams: a price that is too low, time pressure and upfront payment without a viewing. Read our general guide on room scams for all nine red flags; this guide focuses on the tricks that specifically hit labour migrants.

Which red flags are specific to labour migrants?

Besides the familiar signals, there are pitfalls tied to work and migration. If you recognise one, be extra critical.

• •A 'landlord' who approaches you via a group in your own language and wants to finish quickly, off-platform.
• •Housing tied to your job: if you stop working, you are out. This has not been allowed since 1 July 2023.
• •Payment to a foreign account, via crypto, gift cards or an intermediary abroad.
• •No written contract, or a contract you may not see before you pay.
• •You are not allowed to register at the address, even though you need that registration for your BSN and your work.
• •Sky-high 'administration' or 'key' fees on top of the deposit.

How do you verify a landlord without Dutch?

You do not need fluent Dutch to rent safely. Use a translation app for the contract, ask a colleague or trusted person to look with you, and do not let yourself be rushed. A reliable offer withstands questions; a scammer drops out or pushes harder.

If you doubt whether the rent or the costs are correct, you can have them checked by the Huurcommissie. And if you prefer to respond to real, verified listings, use alerts: then you respond first to new listings from reliable sources, instead of 'too good' offers from a chat group.

What do you do if you have been scammed?

Act fast. Contact your bank immediately; a recent transfer can sometimes still be stopped. Report the fraud to the Fraudehelpdesk and file a report with the police. Keep all messages, listings, screenshots and payment proof as evidence.

Do not be ashamed and do not wait: the sooner you report, the greater the chance you protect others and sometimes recover your money. There are also unions and support points that help labour migrants with such problems.