Numerous buildings in Rotterdam searched for malicious letting | Inland

Three hundred officials from the FIOD and the police entered seventeen buildings in the Maasstad and Schiedam, fifteen of which were homes and two business premises belonging to a suspected rogue rental agency. The three owners, a 23-year-old and two 26-year-old Rotterdammers, were arrested in the investigation. They are suspected of having laundered criminal money by renting out ghost houses.

The services found in the buildings, among other things, around 150,000 euros, jewelry, expensive brand watches, very luxurious designer clothes and bags, 42 kilos of cocaine, cartridges, knives, swords and stilettos. There was also illegal prostitution in a building and remains of a hemp plantation were found. Two cars and a house were confiscated. Two safes were also found, which have yet to be opened. Residents other than those officially registered with the municipality lived in six buildings, so that someone can stay in a building anonymously. A total of ten people were arrested, including a person who was staying illegally in the Netherlands.

Maleficent rental

In recent times, the investigative authorities have deliberately aimed their arrows at wrong landlords. In total, the studies identified 120 landlords in the Rotterdam region, of which dozens are dubious. “In total there are 6,000 rental agents active in the region. It is a liberal profession. There is almost no insight into which homes are for rent. The criminals get a bit of anonymity from these rental agents. For example, they can pay with cash and registration with the municipality is not necessary ”, says police spokesperson Wim Hoonhout. The police and FIOD are asking the government to see whether a permit requirement should be introduced.

The investigation into the wrong broker was done after the government agency Financial Intelligence Unit, where unusual transactions are reported, rang the bell at the FIOD. “We got a signal about the Rotterdam brokerage scene which is used for criminal activities. The rent of the houses is paid in cash. The houses are then used for money laundering, drug trafficking or illegal prostitution, ”says Bert Langerak, Director of Investigation of the FIOD. It is a thorn in the side of the investigative authorities that the upper world is helping the underworld. “We are sending out an important signal with this promotion. We will not tolerate this ”, says Langerak, who also counts on the help of residents by reporting suspicious situations. “I see the world is changing. We are really at a turning point. We now have to tackle this problem, ”Langerak warns.

Success makes you want more. The police and FIOD will continue in full force and have other agents in addition to the wrong brokers faciliteerders such as car rental companies on the eye.

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