NCJ Number
226127
Date Published
2008
Length
144 pages
Annotation
This study of illegal and criminal practices in the housing sector in the Netherlands is based on data from police investigations of suspected criminality in this sector.
Abstract
Out of the 12 police files studied (24 prime suspects), fraud was involved. Although the cases involved different methods, preferences, and specializations, the common theme was the abuse of the trust of others by deception. Swindling individuals, companies, or authorities was the key activity in virtually all the criminal cases studied. The various types of fraud are described in more detail. In some of the criminal cases, mortgage fraud was committed in order to earn a lot of money in a short period of time. Once the purchase has been finalized and the profits have been pocketed, however, in the cases studied the affairs related to the property were not usually well-planned. When "turn-around" sales of the fraudulently obtained houses did not materialize as hoped, they were often kept by members of the criminal network in order to generate extra income from a rental, which was used to pay off a mortgage. Illegal subletting of houses obtained through fraud frequently occurred in the cases examined. Relatively high rents for run-down properties were found. The lack of prospects for housing and/or the illegal status of people looking for housing makes it possible to demand relatively high rents for low-quality housing. The cases studied show a complex combination of legal and illegal practices. The simple criminal network focuses on one or a few illegal activities that are repeated by one or a few persons; for example, illegal subletting or forgery of documents for the purpose of mortgage fraud. 45 references