Man Rented His Apartment to a Sweet Old Couple – When They Moved Out, He Was Shocked By What He Found Inside

Man Rented His Apartment to a Sweet Old Couple – When They Moved Out, He Was Shocked By What He Found Inside

When I first rented my apartment to Hans and Greta, a sweet old couple with warm smiles and charming accents, I thought I’d found the perfect tenants. But when they moved out, I was plunged into a mystery that would shatter my trust and lead to an unbelievable twist.

Hans and Greta seemed like the sweetest couple I had ever encountered. Late seventies, gentle manners, and warm smiles that could melt the coldest heart.

Hans had a neat silver mustache that twitched when he laughed, and Greta had this kind, motherly demeanor. They spoke with curious accents that I couldn’t quite place, a mix of something European and quaint.

A happy elderly couple in the kitchen | Source: Pexels

A happy elderly couple in the kitchen | Source: Pexels

“I hope this apartment will be just right for you,” I said as I showed them around.

“It’s perfect,” Greta replied with a smile. “Just like home.”

They moved in smoothly, and for the entire year they stayed, there were no issues at all. They paid their rent on time, kept the place immaculate, and even left little thank-you notes when I came to check on the property.

A handsome apartment with wood floors | Source: Pexels

A handsome apartment with wood floors | Source: Pexels

They’d often invite me in for tea, regaling me with stories of their adventures back in the days when they were young. It was hard to imagine a more ideal scenario.

“Thank you so much for letting us stay here, Mark,” Hans said one afternoon. “You’ve been a wonderful landlord.”

“You two have been the best tenants. If only everyone was like you,” I replied, sipping the tea Greta had made. It was chamomile, fragrant and soothing.

An elderly couple enjoying warm drinks | Source: Pexels

An elderly couple enjoying warm drinks | Source: Pexels

“Do you remember the time we got lost in the Black Forest?” Greta asked Hans, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Oh yes, that was quite the adventure!” Hans laughed. “We were young and foolish, thought we could navigate without a map.”

“Ended up spending the night in a shepherd’s hut,” Greta added, shaking her head.

However, as their lease neared its end, something strange happened. Hans and Greta, usually so calm and measured, seemed to be in a rush to move out.

Household contents being packed into boxes | Source: Pexels

Household contents being packed into boxes | Source: Pexels

They were always in a hurry, packing boxes and arranging things in a frenzy. When I asked if everything was okay, they assured me with those same warm smiles that everything was fine.

“Just some family matters,” Greta explained. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Are you sure? You both seem quite frantic,” I pressed, concerned.

Packed items being carried down stairs | Source: Pexels

Packed items being carried down stairs | Source: Pexels

“It’s all good, Mark. Just some urgent family issues. We’ll miss this place, though,” Hans said, patting my shoulder reassuringly.

The day they moved out, they handed me the keys with an extra firm handshake and an apology for their sudden departure. I wished them well, feeling a bit sad to see them go.

“Thank you for everything, Mark. We hope to see you again someday,” Greta said, giving me a gentle hug.

“Take care, both of you,” I replied, waving as they left.

A hand bearing a bunch of keys | Source: Pexels

A hand bearing a bunch of keys | Source: Pexels

The next day, I went to inspect the apartment, expecting to find it in the same pristine condition they had kept it. I unlocked the door and stepped inside, but what I saw made me gasp in shock.

There was no floor. The hardwood planks that had been there were completely gone, leaving only the bare concrete underneath. I stood there, stunned, trying to process what had happened.

“Where the hell is the floor?” I muttered to myself, pacing around the empty rooms.

A room with its floored stripped out | Source: Pexels

A room with its floored stripped out | Source: Pexels

I took out my phone, snapped a photo of the empty floor, and sent them a text.

“What happened to the floor?” I asked, attaching the photo.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with a reply. It was from Hans.

A man studying his cell phone | Source: Pexels

A man studying his cell phone | Source: Pexels

“Oh dear, we are so sorry for the confusion! In the Netherlands, it is a tradition to take the floor with you when you move out. We assumed it was the same here. We were in such a rush because our granddaughter had just given birth and needed our help with the baby, and we didn’t have time to explain. We hope this hasn’t caused too much trouble. Please let us make it up to you. Come visit us in the Netherlands, and we will show you our beautiful country. With love, Hans and Greta.”

A man looking out the window, phone in hand | Source: Pexels

A man looking out the window, phone in hand | Source: Pexels

I read the message a couple of times, my disbelief slowly turning into a surprised grin. It was such a peculiar tradition, but it did make sense of everything. They hadn’t intended any harm; they were just adhering to a custom from their country.

The urgency in their departure was as sincere and heartfelt as they had always seemed, or so I thought.

I chuckled and replied, “I appreciate the explanation. I’ll need to replace the floor here, but no hard feelings. Maybe I will take you up on that offer to visit. Best wishes to you and your family.”

But something nagged at me. A tradition to take the floor, really? I decided to investigate further. I contacted a friend who was a private investigator and told him the whole story. He agreed to look into it.

A man inspecting documents with a magnifying glass | Source: Pexels

A man inspecting documents with a magnifying glass | Source: Pexels

A week later, he called me with some shocking news.

“Mark, you won’t believe this,” he said. “Hans and Greta aren’t who they claimed to be. They’re part of a sophisticated scam targeting landlords, stealing valuable items and leaving with the impression of an innocent mistake. Those floorboards? They’re worth a small fortune.”

“What?” I retorted. “How could they do this? I checked their credentials thoroughly, everything was above board. They had valid residential visas, good credit histories, and no criminal records.”

A man listening on headphones | Source: Pexels

A man listening on headphones | Source: Pexels

“They’re professionals,” my friend continued. “They move from city to city, targeting kind-hearted landlords like you. Their M.O. involves taking high-value items that can be easily sold.”

I was stunned. “I can’t believe it. They seemed so genuine, so… kind.”

“That’s how they get you,” he said. “They build trust and then take advantage of it.”

An outdoor antique market | Source: Freepik

An outdoor antique market | Source: Freepik

“We’ve tracked them down,” my friend continued. “They’re planning to sell the stolen floorboards at a high-end antique market. We can set up a sting operation to catch them in the act.”

“Let’s do it,” I said, determined to see justice served.

The plan was simple. We’d catch them in the act of selling the stolen wood. My friend, posing as a buyer, approached Hans and Greta, who were busy setting up their stall with various antique items, including my floorboards.

Two men shake hands in introduction  | Source: Pexels

Two men shake hands in introduction | Source: Pexels

“Excuse me,” my friend said. “I’m interested in those floorboards. They look exquisite.”

Hans smiled. “Ah, yes. Fine Dutch craftsmanship. We know because we are from the Netherlands ourselves. This is very rare, very valuable timber.”

“How much are you asking?” my friend inquired.

“For you, a special price,” Hans replied, naming a figure that made my P.I. friend’s eyes widen in surprise.

Police officers making an arrest  | Source: Pexels

Police officers making an arrest | Source: Pexels

As the transaction was about to go through, police officers moved in, as coordinated, surrounding the stall.

“Hands up! You’re under arrest for theft and fraud,” one officer barked.

Hans and Greta looked shocked but didn’t resist as they were handcuffed and led away. I watched from a distance, feeling satisfied, but also sorrowful. How could I have misjudged the character of these people so spectacularly?

The floorboards were recovered, and they turned out to be imported wood worth a fortune. In the weeks that followed, I had the floor replaced, and life returned to normal. But I often thought about Hans and Greta, the weird, invented tradition they had conned me with, and also their seemingly unwavering kindness.

Strips of wood in a pile | Source: Pexels

Strips of wood in a pile | Source: Pexels

A month later, I received a letter. It was from the real Hans and Greta in the Netherlands. They had had their identities stolen by the criminal gang, who had hired imposters to pose as them. They had been contacted by Interpol and made aware of the crime.

They invited me to visit the Netherlands and experience their genuine hospitality. “Dear Mark, we are so sorry for what happened. We hope you can find it in your heart to visit us and see the real Netherlands and meet its true people. With love, Hans and Greta.”

I sat back, letter in hand, contemplating the experience. Trust is a fragile thing, I thought, but also incredibly powerful when placed in the right people. Maybe one day, I would visit the real Hans and Greta and rebuild my faith in trust and humanity.

A man reading a letter | Source: Pexels

A man reading a letter | Source: Pexels

Never-before-seen pictures of Princess Diana

People all across the world fell in love with Princess Diana, the adored woman of her era.

We invite you to take a look down memory lane as we examine some uncommon and intriguing images that provide a deeper look into her remarkable life.

These are the kinds of moments that will make you smile and feel good.

Diana is pictured here on a skiing trip to Austria with her kids, Harry and William. This photograph was shot shortly after Harry turned nine years old. He’s adorable, and the whole family is stunning!

Diana and her children visited Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands in 1990, together with her sister’s children. The island was owned by Richard Branson of Virgin.

Diana knows how to have a good time. Look at this lovely photo of her and Harry visiting the amusement park Thorpe Park in 1992.

Diana was dubbed “The People’s Princess” by many. She was involved in numerous humanitarian endeavors, offering a good example of how a kind and loving person should act.

Princess Diana is shown here visiting an Orthopedic workshop in Luanda, Angola, and sitting with land mine victims.

We could go on and on about Diana’s wonderful photographs. This one was taken in 1971, while she was on vacation in Itchenor, West Sussex.

Meanwhile, this one was taken outside Diana’s flat in Coleherne Court, London, before to her engagement to Charles.

Harry is pictured here sticking out his tongue to the crowd gathering around Buckingham Palace. Diana seemed to be taken aback.

Barbour is still a popular royal apparel brand, although Princess Diana may have worn it best.

Diana adored Barbour, and her journey to the Outer Hebrides in Scotland in 985 was the ideal occasion to wear her Barbour-style waxed cotton jacket.

Jayne Fincher, a royal photographer who captured some of Princess Diana’s most memorable images, trailed the royal couple everywhere they went. She’d rented a jet to travel to the Outer Hebrides, where Charles and Diana were on official business.

“When I caught up,” says Fincher, “Charles said, ‘Where have you been?’”

The Outer Hebrides are subject to extremes of wind and rain, which Princess Diana experienced during her visit there in 1985.But she looks great in the images from the trip, and photographer Jayne noticed something after going over the negatives.

“You don’t see Diana dressed like that very often. She looked so happy. It was pouring rain, but her makeup was perfect and un-smudged. I looked a mess, as usual,” she said.

The photo below was taken during Diana’s last summer alive. She is seen with her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed on a boat in St. Tropez, France, jumping into the water.

Diana will be remembered as a truly great and loving human being.

Please share this post with your friends and family on Facebook to commemorate her!

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