I rented my apartment to a charming elderly couple, Hans and Greta, who appeared to be ideal tenants. They paid rent punctually, maintained the apartment well, and even left thank-you notes. However, as their lease ended, they seemed in a hurry to move, citing urgent family matters. When they left, I was shocked to find the hardwood floors gone, replaced by bare concrete.
Hans texted me, saying, “In the Netherlands, it’s tradition to take the floor with you when you move. We were in a hurry because our granddaughter needed help with her new baby. We’re so sorry for the trouble. Please visit us in the Netherlands.”
Suspicious, I hired a private investigator, who revealed that Hans and Greta were part of a scam, stealing items from landlords and selling them. We arranged a sting operation, leading to their arrest.
Later, I received a letter from the real Hans and Greta in the Netherlands, who had their identities stolen. They invited me to visit, hoping to restore my trust.
