Why are The Hague's expats targeted by scammers?

The Hague's international workforce often relocates fast and rents furnished, sight-unseen. Scammers pose as owners posted abroad — a story that fits the city — so verify identity and view live before paying.

Is a furnished flat offered from overseas a scam?

Not necessarily, but a furnished let offered by an owner who is conveniently abroad and wants an advance transfer is a classic Den Haag scam pattern. Insist on a viewing and a signed contract first.

What is the most common rental scam signal?

The single most common signal is being asked to pay money — a deposit, first month, or "viewing fee" — before you have seen the property in person or over live video and before anything is signed. Legitimate landlords do not need payment to let you view a home.

Is a landlord being abroad always a scam?

No, but it is a strong warning sign, especially when combined with a refusal to do a live video viewing, keys promised by mail, and payment via irreversible methods. Treat an "abroad" landlord who won't show the home as high risk until proven otherwise.

Rental Scams in The Hague: How to Avoid Them

Last updated: 2026-07-01

How do I avoid rental scams in The Hague?

To avoid rental scams in The Hague, never pay a deposit or fee before an in-person or live-video viewing and a signed contract. Watch for owners who are "abroad," below-market prices, urgency to decide today, keys promised by mail, and requests to pay by Western Union, crypto or cash. Keep all contact and payment on traceable channels.

Key facts

Fact 1: As of 2026-07-01: The Hague hosts government, embassies, and international organisations.
Fact 2: As of 2026-07-01: Furnished, fast, sight-unseen relocations are common and exploited by scammers.
Fact 3: As of 2026-07-01: "Owner posted abroad" stories fit The Hague's international profile.

The Hague (Den Haag) is the Netherlands' international city — home to government, embassies, and organisations that bring a constant flow of diplomats, NGO staff, and expat professionals. That international, often short-notice demand shapes the local rental scams, which frequently target people relocating quickly for a posting and searching from abroad. A common Den Haag script offers a furnished apartment near the centre, Scheveningen, or the international zone at an attractive price, aimed at someone who needs to move fast and cannot view in person. Because expat turnover is high and furnished lets are normal here, a landlord who is "currently posted elsewhere" can seem entirely credible. This guide explains how these Hague-specific scams are dressed up and how to verify a listing before committing money.

Scams aimed at The Hague's expats

The Hague's scams lean on its international character. Because tenants routinely arrive for a defined posting and furnished apartments are the norm, fraudsters pose as owners who are themselves abroad on assignment — a story that fits the city perfectly. Listings in the international zone, near the centre, or by the coast at Scheveningen are used as bait for people who need to settle quickly and may not know the local market. Relocation urgency, a plausible "I'm posted overseas" explanation, and a request to secure a furnished flat with an advance transfer form the classic pattern. As always, a credible backstory is not verification: insist on a live viewing, confirm identity and ownership, and pay only after signing.

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The most common Dutch rental scam patterns

Most rental scams targeting expats follow a small set of patterns. A landlord claims to be abroad and says they cannot show the property in person or even over live video. You are asked to pay a deposit, first month, or a "viewing fee" before you have seen the home or signed anything. Keys are promised by mail or courier once the money arrives. Payment is requested through irreversible channels such as Western Union, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or cash. The price is far below the local market, and there is heavy pressure to "decide today" because "many others are interested." Finally, the conversation is moved off the rental platform to WhatsApp or email, where there is no record and no protection.

How to verify a listing before you pay anything

Never send money before an in-person or live video viewing and a signed contract. Ask to see the property with the person who claims to own or manage it, and ask for identification and proof of ownership or a management mandate. Reverse-image search the listing photos: scammers reuse images from real estate sites. Check that the address exists and matches the photos. Be sceptical of prices well below comparable homes in the same neighbourhood. Keep the entire conversation on the platform where you found the listing, and pay only via traceable methods once you have a signed agreement. If anything feels rushed, that urgency is itself a warning sign.

What to do if you have already paid a scammer

If you have already transferred money, act quickly. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to ask whether the transfer can be recalled or disputed. Report the fraud to the Dutch police (you can file a report online) and to the platform where you found the listing so they can remove it. Keep every message, receipt, and profile screenshot as evidence. Warn others by reporting the profile. While recovery is not guaranteed, reporting improves your chances and helps prevent others from being targeted. Before your next application, run the listing and any landlord messages through a screening step so the same signals are caught early.

Frequently asked questions

Why are The Hague's expats targeted by scammers?: The Hague's international workforce often relocates fast and rents furnished, sight-unseen. Scammers pose as owners posted abroad — a story that fits the city — so verify identity and view live before paying.
Is a furnished flat offered from overseas a scam?: Not necessarily, but a furnished let offered by an owner who is conveniently abroad and wants an advance transfer is a classic Den Haag scam pattern. Insist on a viewing and a signed contract first.
What is the most common rental scam signal?: The single most common signal is being asked to pay money — a deposit, first month, or "viewing fee" — before you have seen the property in person or over live video and before anything is signed. Legitimate landlords do not need payment to let you view a home.
Is a landlord being abroad always a scam?: No, but it is a strong warning sign, especially when combined with a refusal to do a live video viewing, keys promised by mail, and payment via irreversible methods. Treat an "abroad" landlord who won't show the home as high risk until proven otherwise.

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This is an automated informational review, not legal advice. No lawyer-client relationship is created. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified professional.