What? I was surprised. – How is that possible? I checked their details thoroughly, everything was perfect. They had valid visas, good credit histories, and no criminal records.
They’re professionals,’ my friend continued. – ‘They move from city to city, picking out good-natured landlords like you. Their scheme is to pick up valuable items that can easily be sold.
I was shocked. – I couldn’t believe it. They seemed so genuine, so… kind.
That’s what attracts them. They build trust and then they take advantage of it,’ he said.
We found them,’ he added. – They’re going to sell the stolen floorboards on the high-end antique market. We can organise an operation to catch them red-handed.
Let’s do it,’ I replied, determined to get justice.
The plan was simple. We had to catch them selling the stolen goods. My friend, acting as a buyer, approached Ivan and Greta, who were already laying out their goods, including my floorboards.
Excuse me,’ my friend said. – I’m interested in these boards. They look great.
Ivan smiled. – Ah, yes. Real Dutch craftsmanship. We know because we are from the Netherlands ourselves. It’s a very rare and valuable wood.
How much do you want for them? – my friend asked.
A special price for you,’ Ivan replied, giving an amount that made my friend’s eyes widen.
When the deal was almost finalised, the police surrounded the counter as planned.
Hands up! You are under arrest for theft and fraud,’ one of the officers ordered loudly.
Ivan and Greta looked shocked but didn’t resist as they were handcuffed and led away. I watched from a distance, feeling both satisfaction and sadness. How could I have been so wrong about people?
The floorboards were returned and it turned out that they were indeed made of expensive imported wood. In the weeks that followed, I replaced the floor and returned to normal life. But I often thought about Ivan and Greta, about the strange made-up tradition they had tricked me with, and about their seemingly genuine kindness.
A month later I got a letter. It was from the real Ivan and Greta from the Netherlands. Their identities had been stolen by a criminal gang who had hired actors to impersonate them. The real Ivan and Greta had already been notified by Interpol and informed of the crime.
They have invited me to come to the Netherlands and see real Dutch hospitality.
Dear Mark, we are very sorry that this has happened to you. We hope you will find the strength to come and visit us to see the real Netherlands and meet its sincere inhabitants. Love, Ivan and Greta.
I leaned back, holding the letter in my hands, reflecting on the whole experience. Trust is a fragile thing, I thought, but also incredibly powerful when given to the right people. Perhaps one day I would actually visit the real Ivan and Greta and restore my faith in trust and humanity.