TikTok rental scams targeting students in the Netherlands

Scammers are increasingly using TikTok advertisements to target students looking for housing, according to reports from the Fraudehelpdesk and NOS Stories. These fraudulent listings often promise rooms at attractive prices but demand upfront payments for reservations or viewings.

In the first half of 2026, the Fraudehelpdesk recorded 175 reports of rental fraud via advertisements, a significant increase from the 21 reports received during the same period the previous year. Experts from Huurteams Nijmegen and Wageningen warn that it is illegal to charge fees for room viewings, even with the promise of a refund. They advise potential tenants to be cautious if an offer appears too good to be true.