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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
Free 7 foot Yamaha? Got some ideas what could be going on, but what do you folks thinks. Some folks from a local Church are trying to contact the seller.
I would see the same thing in craigslist when i was looking for a tractor. After a while you get a feel for what something is going for. For example, a 20 year old Ford 555 would go for 8k - 12k. Then all of a sudden someone started posting ads for brand new Kubotas for 5k when they are worth 35k. I think the scam is to get your personal info (checking acct#, card #) and then rob those accounts. Be safe. -chris
Typical slightly odd, stilted English of a Nigerian scammer - "I lost her three years ago to a chronic fibroid", and the "God bless you". I fear this is unholy rather than pious!
Five months ago I saw a Mason & Hamlin BB advertised for free on Craigslist. When I contacted the seller they said something similar to that ad—a relative (wife) had died and it was difficult to have the instrument around and they wanted to pass it on. I asked when I could come look at it and I never heard back. Recently I saw another M&H (maybe model A) for $200. Again I asked when I could come see the piano and never heard back. They were probably both scams.
This is an identical ad to one of several I've seen recently. I responded to one, thinking it genuine, and unaware at the time of the scams on Craigslist.
The poster responded after a while, saying that he had moved with the piano, and offered to talk to the moving company about getting it to me.
Yes, he had moved with the piano instead of giving it away first! He was confident that moving the piano back "wouldn't cost me much". I smelled a rat and ended contact.
Just as I was getting completely cynical about Craigslist -- pianos in bad shape, unrealistically priced or scams, an underpriced gem turned up a couple of weeks ago and is now home with me.
Read about my adventures in this thread entitled "Yamaha or Kawai; digital or Acoustic? Couldn't decide, so ..." here:
Since I ended up with a Kawai grand, I could have posted my story on the Piano forum instead of the Digital forum, but I had started out looking for an upgrade to my Yamaha digital.
So sad to see that this scam team is still functioning. Wish that we could get law enforcement involved, as I have observed that it is the same team perpetuating this scam over the past year. It is obviously still profitable enough for them to keep it going. I too was tempted once and contacted them. The process was similar to the one Lotus1 reported.
In the end, we didn't lose any money as I caught on to the scam before funds were committed. The scam is pretty elaborate. Once I realized it was a fraud, my son and I strung them along just to see just how in depth they had made this and to see how desperate they would become. It was quite fascinating as I had never engaged with someone who was a professional scam artist. We went as far as generating the Western Union Money order and sent them pictures of the receipt, (minus the confirmation number obviously). It drove them nuts that they were that close. We bounced back and forth between multiple individuals on their end that represented different roles. We were able to get them to send pictures of the "piano" and pictures of the "piano" on the moving truck. At the end when I confronted them to let them know that we knew they were a scam, they went as far as to send me a picture of their drivers license as a last minute attempt to convey that they were legitimate. They actually sent a picture of a stolen drivers ID of some poor caucasian man from NY with an eastern European name like Wachowski. These individuals speak with a Brazilian accent. So the ID was pretty comical in the end. Yet, I feel for the guy who had his ID stolen.
Since then I have wondered how many Piano World users have fallen prey to this team and would be willing to share their story. If there is anyone willing to do so, send me a private message. We can add your experience to my own. Perhaps if anyone knows someone in law enforcement willing to go after them, I am pretty confident it wouldn't be hard to catch them. It isn't that hard to scan craigslist to find their latest version of the scam. I have noticed that they move it around the country and shake up the piano brands some. But they are pretty consistent otherwise.
I spent quite a bit of time reporting this to Craigslist, but I am sure all my details just went to a digital file somewhere never to be reviewed.
Again, if anyone reads this and is willing to share their experiences please send a note.
"Attached with this post is my late mother’s baby grand piano. I lost her 3 years ago to a chronic fibroid, you might feel I am sounding foolish listing the piano for free rather than selling it. Seeing the piano around since she died really makes me sad and depressed. Kindly attach your email or cellphone if you are willing to give it a home for many years to come. Please if you plan to resell it I would urge you not to contact me. God bless you."
I will see if I can find another version on Craigslist. I have found it fascinating that they tend to select small rural towns to post their listing from.
Used the same pictures. They did alter the text a bit. The context of the message is the same.
"Picture attached with this post is my late moms piano which I am giving out for free. She died 3 years ago and playing the piano has made me depressed with the memories of the keys. She would hate if I sold it that is why I am looking for an individual or a family who is willing to give this piano a home and also a heirloom for years to come. It was last tuned 3 months ago don't think I am giving you a piece of crap, please attach your cellphone or email when replying. Cheers."
I am sure I could find a few more if I had the time.
"I just moved to a new home, I have decided to give away my late dad Yamaha grand Piano based on his will. Its free to a good home, as long as you are willing to pay for moving it. This Piano as been well cared for and is in a very good condition. All the keys work and has not been used for years. measurement are 38"tall, 54" wide, 55" deep. Giving it out for free..... Please only interested person(s) should contact me on this one, thanks."
Thanks, Mark! I let the folks at the Church know about the duplicate ad in NM.
My thought was that the owner might have been looking for a dupe to hurt someone else, like in a divorce, by getting rid of something that really belonged to someone else out of spite. Or along the same lines, getting rid of something that they could no longer make payments on or was going to be taken by a Sheriff to settle a court judgment. Again, to hurt someone else.
Still, if it had been legit, what a find! Just missed a free Hamilton Studio last month for an old folks home. They answered back, so I think it was above board.
Jeff Deutschle Part-Time Tuner Who taught the first chicken how to peck?
The pictures in the one ad are not of the same piano. The piano is pictured in a home, but the reflection on the fallboard (in another pic) shows a Yamaha in a store. -chris
The pictures in the one ad are not of the same piano. The piano is pictured in a home, but the reflection on the fallboard (in another pic) shows a Yamaha in a store. -chris
These two ads used nearly the same pictures. One in New York, the other in New Mexico:
Caution is always good, but a church in my area recently gave away a Mason AA in BEAUTIFUL condition. So "too good to be true" is not as ironclad in pianos as it may be in other luxury items. Add to that that the piano is among the last of the totemic objects in our culture; an emotional attachment to the memories embodied in the piano can easily outweigh monetary considerations. We have been given several fine pianos over the years for no better reason than that the piano buyer would refer to their family piano as a "core", and describe how they were going to take out all the parts and throw them away. It was a curious experience to be thanked for picking up something that others offered good money for. This man's wish that the piano go to a new home and a new owner rather than a warehouse and a broker is in line with this. The world of pianos is only tangential to the real world; not all the standard measures apply all the time.
Be well, Craig
Craig Hair Hampshire Piano Chesterfield, MA Conservative Piano Restoration Watch us on YouTube
Sometimes it's helpful to do a reverse image search which will show that the pictures are not unique to the scam ad. Language in this one is a dead giveaway.
I agree Craig. We have been the direct beneficiary of a kind family willing to ensure that their piano goes to someone committed to preserving its legacy. The story is remarkable. I still have it and my son and I are in the process of its restoration. This is one of those that will stay in the family and never be resold. So there are people/institutions willing to ensure the piano will have a life beyond their ownership. Often they are looking for nothing more than sincere gratitude in return.
This is perhaps why this persistent scam is so bothersome to me. It causes us to question the rare but sincere kindness of others willing to donate their beloved piano.
The scam by this team is pretty recognizable to those who have seen it before. It has subtle differences as they move it about the country in Craigslist but it fundamentally the same.
Some years back I filed a number of complaints against a robo-caller. After 18 months, I got an email letter from the FTC telling me they had filed charges against the company, and the company had gone out of business.
Probably back in business under another name, but... at least we slowed them down.
There's also the FBI...
Report an online scam or e-mail hoax by filing a complaint online with our Internet Crime Complaint Center or by using our online Tips and Public Leads form; To provide information on select major cases, call our Major Case Contact Center at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)
Andrew Kraus, Pianist Educated Amateur Tuner/Technician I Make Music that Lifts People Up & Brings Them Together Rockville, MD USA www.AndrewKraus.com www.YouTube.com/RockvillePianoGuy Twitter at @IAmAPianist
1929 Steinert 6'10" (Close copy of New York S&S "B")
Seeker, The robo-caller, was it that guy in Vegas? Oh, I hope so.
Don't know. FTC never gave me that detail, just that they'd prosecuted, shut the company down. Felt good, it did.
Andrew Kraus, Pianist Educated Amateur Tuner/Technician I Make Music that Lifts People Up & Brings Them Together Rockville, MD USA www.AndrewKraus.com www.YouTube.com/RockvillePianoGuy Twitter at @IAmAPianist
1929 Steinert 6'10" (Close copy of New York S&S "B")
Hello Everyone. Would you all like to see one of these scams happening in real time? I currently have one of these scammers on the hook. The Craigslist listing is below.
Over the past year, I have been periodically watching for these scammers to pop up. Spotted them this morning and thought I would go fishing.
Here is our text message exchange so far this morning: ME: Hello, I am interested in your piano. Is it still available? Scammer: The piano is still available, used to be owned and played by my wife who is now deceased and the piano was last tuned early April last year before she passed. I'm currently moving to Miami & I don't think My Wife will be happy if I sell off this piano, at the same time I'm not happy seeing it around and do not wish to move it here because of a less storage. So I'm hoping to give this out to someone around. Me: Understood: Would it be alright if I came by and see it? Scammer: The Piano is currently being moved by the movers I employed to move my properties from my house but if you really don't mind making new arrangements with the movers, I can attempt to get in touch with them to re-rout it, after delivering the rest of the properties to my house her in Miami, these should to attract too many charges since the distance can be recovered within a day.
This is their exact MO that they have employed before. (see posts above) Their next step will be to pass me off to one of their movers. The mover will propose that a money order be wired to them to re-route the piano. It is a pretty elaborate scam.
If anyone else would like to have a go at the same time, the text message number of the scammer is 901-472-2038. Would be interesting if there was more than one of us vetting the scam in real time.
I am open to suggestions for my next response. I was thinking to see if I could get them to take a picture of the piano "in the truck"?
We will also see if they actively watch the Forums:)
I have come across the exact same scheme before word by word! They had an yamaha G1 on the line at that time. Maybe suggest they bring it to a public place like a Walmart parking lot😁
Well- since the scammers they don't actually have the piano, I am confident that they won't agree to meet at the local parking lot. However, I bet you that I could get them to produce a "photo" of it on the truck which would be funny.
I will send them a text message at 1:00 EST. So, if anyone else has some creative ideas before then, feel free to contribute.
Me: Do you really think that they would reroute the Truck? Scammer: they can, or they can have it delivered to you after dropping off my stuffs, you can mail them to confirm if they can have it delivered to you and home much it might cost, protonmovingcompany@deliverman.com And do let them know its from Micheal Petterson. I will also be mailing them now so they are aware.
Keith Akins, RPT Piano Technologist USA Distributor for Isaac Cadenza hammers and Profundo Bass Strings Supporting Piano Owners D-I-Y piano tuning and repair editor emeritus of Piano Technicians Journal
I find this piano scam fascinating. The complexity of the scam itself is a form of artwork.
First he sets the tone that the piano was a favorite of his recently deceased wife and second, he pulls on the heartstrings of those who feel compassion for him that the sight of the piano will cause him more pain as he remembers her. Third, he introduces the idea of significant change - the move from his home in Georgia to Miami. Fourth, he introduces the transfer to another party (the truck driver). Fifth, he transitions to the role of supporting change agent willing and anxious to facilitate the introduction to the Moving Company.
Of course the email will take me directly to him where he will play the role of the mover.
Open to suggestions for the next communication. I am thinking to ask him to share some insights about the piano itself. We'll see if he knows anything about pianos in general. Likely, he will say that he knows nothing about the piano. Which is brilliant, since he can hide behind the facade that he knows nothing about it except that his wife loved to play. (However, I would give him some props if he were to respond that it was a 1867-1882 Chickering 33B or a simular year Chickering 19). I will send out a text around 2:50 EST.
Again - if someone would like to run the scam in parallel, feel free. Might be interesting to see how consistent they are.
-Ask him to send you a copy of the mover's agreement. -Ask for more photos. Have him look through his cell phone\computer etc. -Ask about the provenance of the piano. Where he got it, who is the technician, etc. Ask for names and numbers. -Tell him there should be a stamp\serial number\whatever located in x spot of the piano. Have him get the movers to pull over and send you a photo of it.
Once he is tired of it, start it again, posing as a different prospect.
How about having them “bring in” more people to the mix and see how well they can juggle all the roles? Piano technician? Pianist? I agree that it’s almost comical that they are trying to concoct the whole scam especially with their rather limited English skills. I just hope no innocent people get sucked into this.
I guess it depends on what your goal is. Just have fun scamming or teasing the scammers? Killing your time (or theirs)? Trying to catch them an report to the authorities?
Somewhat elaborate trick, but pretty easy to spot. Pay nothing or very little for something, but no, you can't see the something and have to pay upfront for "nothing". I wonder if anybody would ever fall for this.
When I was shopping for an grand, I stumbled into exactly the same scam, but obviously I started ROTFL when they explained me what I needed to do. I think I reported to craigslist.
@Dogperson - Thanks for sending the link. Facinating find. Seems to be the very same pattern.
@Del Vento - The aim is to better understand this specific scam process and raise awareness of the signs. Since it seems to be profitable enough that they keep it going to some degree. I am fascinated by the tactics of the scammers although saddened that some would be prey.
Also would be interesting if they go dead cold due to awareness being drawn concurrently here in the forum. Not that correlation is causaution, but would be interesting to note.
PER THE SCAMMER'S REQUEST I SENT THE FOLLOWING EMAIL AT 4:34 est TO "PROTON MOVING COMPANY"
Hello,
Micheal Petterson recommended that I enquire to see if a Piano that is in the process of being moved can be re-routed to a different address.
Please let me know what the process would be.
Regards
SCAMMER REPLY VIA EMAIL AT 6:41 EST---
Hello,
We received your email regarding the Baby Grand Piano of Mr Micheal Petterson and also a referral note regarding that. In order to get the Piano delivered to you, we need you to get back to us with the Full Delivery Address you want this delivered to, your full name, phone number, and an alternative email address(optional). More so the delivery charges will be included and calculated after we receive your provided address needed for delivery.
Please, Get back to us with the specified information to process your delivery and we will send the estimated cost of delivery to you. Thank you
ReMARK Keep it going 😊. The way I look at scammers,, the longer they can be distracted by one single person, the less time they have to scam someone else.
You know those scammers who call saying they work for Social Security and your benefits are at risk? I was receiving a lot of these calls, so I would hang up and report to FTC. Totally ineffective so I changed the way I was handling them.
Now when I get those calls, I click on ‘1’, so I get a live person. I tried telling them I know it’s a scam and I was going to report them. Did that for awhile, until one of them told me ‘ooooh, I’m so afraid’.
Now I choose the option to speak to a person. and then put my cellphone next to the TV and walk away, seems to work, And there is a great deal of satisfaction in knowing They’re not calling someone else. If the calls start again I’m gonna up my game and really mess with them for a long time but telling them I need to look for my SS number or credit card and then putting the phone down and leaving
I used to do that with some of the business scammers that would phone me occasionally. They would ask to talk to the maintenance department or the accounts payable department or whatever, so I would say, "I'll just put you through to Helen. She's in the warehouse but we'll find her for you." Then put the phone on mute and leave it there. I figure telling them that she's in the warehouse would make them hang on even longer waiting for her to pick up the phone.
Some time after I started doing that, I even got a few phone calls after that where they actually asked to speak to Helen!
None of those guys ever asked me for her last name, though. I figure her last name has to be Waite. So when these guys want to talk to someone here, they can just go to Helen Waite.
If you're a zombie and you know it, bite your friend! We got both kinds of music: Country and Western! Casio Celviano AP-650
ReMARK Keep it going 😊. The way I look at scammers,, the longer they can be distracted by one single person, the less time they have to scam someone else.
Oh, yes! I like doing that as well: keeping scammers busy.
Ever heard of James Veitch? That guy takes this project to a whole new level! :-)
at home: Kawai MP11SE; Yamaha LG800; Yamaha HS7; Ultimate MS-100B; Sennheiser HD558 | office: MP7SE; K&M 18820; Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro
Adult beginner Hugh Sung, Popular Piano course (in progress)
Yesterday I had three Washing Machine Repair Warranty calls. I've never had an add-on warranty and don't want one. The middle one was interesting - he had a Russian or Polish accent and out of interest I asked which it was and he said his Dad was Russian, so I said "privet", Russian for hello (pronounced preevyet) and then there was a long pause and then he came back, and I said it again, and he hung up! I don't know why that should have scared him or put him off!
The best scam-baiter on YouTube is Jim Browning. He is an expert hacker and in a three-part YouTube video, he switches on the call centre scammer's webcam and records inside the scam call centre in India, also tracking down its location. As a result, the BBC's "Panorama" investigative programme made a documentary about it. Jim Browning works with Karl Rock, who lives in India.
Lately, I have been getting a LOT of "This is Amazon, your Prime will be renewed" message calls. I press 1 to connect to them. One guy made a mistake and went straight into the other, tech-support scam "we are receiving a lot of error messages from your computer" by mistake! So when I said "Oh, so you're NOT from Amazon?" he hung up. Another guy told me I was "a pile of poop" and that I should attempt an impossible sexual act. Sometimes I ask them, Is there no opportunity open to them by which they could earn a decent, honest living?
I have to say that I think telecoms companies, banks, and large corporations, could do a LOT more to shut this stuff down.
I do not have the means to go to India and confront scam call centres. Jeff Bezos does; he is the world's richest man. If I heard that someone was using my name to try to scam people about pianos, I'd be pretty cut up about it and would do my utmost to have it stopped. Scam call centres make thousands of calls a day using Amazon's name, but nothing seems to happen.
Since typing the above a couple of hours ago, I have had two Washing Machine Warranty calls (reasonably legit) and another fake Amazon Prime message.
I connected to the "Amazon Prime" scammer lady, as I sometimes do, saying that I wanted to discontinue Prime. They always explain that you can't do this on the Amazon homepage, and direct you to a fake website, in this case https://amazonprime54.wixsite.com/website (as if Amazon had a Wix website!) where they want you to download Teamviewer. At that point I always stop them, and I asked this lady why she couldn't try for an honest job. She said I had no right to preach at her, and hung up.
If you download and open Teamviewer, there are various ways they can try to get money out of you, all well elucidated by YouTube scam baiters.
Text message from me to "Micheal" the scammer playing the role of the "Grieved" owner Hello Micheal. I sent an email to the moving company and they responded back Not wanting to be rude, but can you tell me more about the piano?
Message from the Scammer Good morning, sorry for the late response, I was busy for most of yesterday, I have more pictures of the piano if you would like to see. The Piano is a 1966 grand piano the model is number 1113 while the serial numbers is 29200. Please let me know if you need any other information. Thank you.
Text message from me to "Micheal" the scammer playing the role of the "Grieved" owner Hello Micheal. I would be interested in photos beyond the ones you shared on Craig's List. That would help me know the piano brand and model.
And right on queue and as predicted, here come the other photos that the scammer pulled from the newly listed piano in Texas.
Text message from the Scammer playing the role of the bereaved owner: I sent you extra pictures of the piano, the piano is currently on route to Miami and it should be there by tomorrow noon
Sorry to hijack your scam thread again: but a real estate scam for you. When my current home was for sale, a scammer pulled the pictures from the real estate sales listing, and posted the house for rent on CL.
Sadly, a couple paid all the standard deposits and had their mail forwarded before they found out the listing was a scam. 😾
You should tell him you are close friends with someone in Miami who can go look and inspect the piano tomorrow when it arrives. ...and they happen to either be a piano technician or a police officer.
ReMARK Keep it going 😊. The way I look at scammers,, the longer they can be distracted by one single person, the less time they have to scam someone else.
Oh, yes! I like doing that as well: keeping scammers busy.
Ever heard of James Veitch? That guy takes this project to a whole new level! :-)
I also fell for this trick. He used the same exact story and details. He advertised for a Kawai baby grand piano. He told him in quotes ¨Hi, the piano is still available and used to be owned and played by my wife who is now deceased and the piano was last tuned early April last year before she passed. Im currently moving to South Beach, Miami and I don't think my wife will be happy if I sell off his piano, at the same time Im not happy seeing it around and do not wish to move it here because of less storage. So I'm hoping to give this out to someone around.(This is exactly what he texted me) I responded by texting him that I had needed a piano for my blind son, who loves to play the piano(which is entirely true, but I've never been able to afford one) He then texted me to make sure that I take care of it and the moving agency number and email, which I still cannot find. I want to make sure this dosn´t happen to anyone else so he went by the name of Mark Harris and the phone number was 423-403-1713. He responded by charging me $420 and told me he would pay the $120 from it. He told me that he would speak with the head of the moving company for me and even gave me the fake moving company email: Promoversks@usa.com and mobile number:785-203-9652 which upon calling for questions sent me an message to contact them through my email. If it wasn´t for this group, I would have actually sent it, Thank you.
Once you are done playing with the spammers, be sure to flag their post in Craigslist.
BTW, my moving company wouldn't deliver to a different address stated on the original agreement, unless proper documentation was shown. They won't re-route haphazardly.
Rosejoy I am glad you found the post and avoided getting spammed.
Response from the Scammer functioning as the role of the "moving company" to coordinate the cost and method of payment.
Welcome to Proton Moving Company Customer Service Center and Payment Unit. We hope to give you the best goods delivery services.
The delivery charges to get the Piano delivered to your address in John's Creek, Ga 30022 is $360.00 USD. Delivery process will commence immediately the delivery charges has been remitted to us, and then after a delivery crew will be assigned to proceed with delivery to your address. An upfront payment of $180.00 USD (50%) is required for safety and security reasons and should be sent to our Company Agent in charge through CashApp or Zelle. Once payment is made, you are required to get back to us with a copy of the Receipt/screenshot for confirmtion. Delivery will commence immediately without delay, and the other $180.00 USD will be paid at delivery point.
Please Note: Payment should be made through CASHAPP or ZELLE. Kindly choose your preferred choice of payment and get back to us for details. Once the delivery charges is received and confirmed, your tracking number and the E.T.D (Estimated Time Of Delivery) of your Package will be forwarded to you. Thank you
George Bloom Proton Director of Delivery
A few observations: * Good news. The Scammer price has dropped some over the past year. Now only $180, since they won't ever collect an the other $180 upon delivery. * The Scammer has shifted to using Cashapp or Zelle instead of Western Union.
Email from Scammer posing as the "moving company".
We received your email regarding the Delivery charges to be sent via Zelle. Below is the agent information needed to make the payment through. Once we confirm the delivery charges has been remitted to us, we will proceed with the delivery process and send you the E.T.D (expected time of delivery) and all necessary information for proper follow up of your delivery. Thank you
Zelle Information For Delivery Charges to be remitted;
Name: Cassandra M Grove Email: cmgrove32807@comcast.net
Please, Get back to us with the screenshot/receipt of the payment for approval so this can be attached with your delivery documents and after then we can get back to you with the delivery details on when your package will be delivered. Thank you
George Bloom Proton Director of Delivery
Observations: the cmgrove32807@comcast.net is a burner or one time use email address. Likely untraceable.
My email message to the Scammer who is playing the role of the Moving Company.
Hello George,
I am sure that you can understand the reasons for my request that you provide more information as to the legitimacy of your company before using Zelle.
Scammer response below:
We assure you that this is totally legitimate as there has been total transparency through the process of this transaction. The properties of Mr Micheal Petterson has been delivered and we are awaiting confirmation from you so we can proceed with the DELIVERY to your address. We await your response. Thank you.
George Bloom Proton Director of Delivery
Should we see what the scammer's response is if I suggest I use "my own" moving company? Oddly enough, I will actually be in Florida this weekend. Perhaps we see what the response is if I propose I pick up the piano myself?
I also fell for this trick. He used the same exact story and details. He advertised for a Kawai baby grand piano. He told him in quotes ¨Hi, the piano is still available and used to be owned and played by my wife who is now deceased and the piano was last tuned early April last year before she passed. Im currently moving to South Beach, Miami and I don't think my wife will be happy if I sell off his piano, at the same time Im not happy seeing it around and do not wish to move it here because of less storage. So I'm hoping to give this out to someone around.(This is exactly what he texted me) I responded by texting him that I had needed a piano for my blind son, who loves to play the piano(which is entirely true, but I've never been able to afford one) He then texted me to make sure that I take care of it and the moving agency number and email, which I still cannot find. I want to make sure this dosn´t happen to anyone else so he went by the name of Mark Harris and the phone number was 423-403-1713. He responded by charging me $420 and told me he would pay the $120 from it. He told me that he would speak with the head of the moving company for me and even gave me the fake moving company email: Promoversks@usa.com and mobile number:785-203-9652 which upon calling for questions sent me an message to contact them through my email. If it wasn´t for this group, I would have actually sent it, Thank you.
I'm delighted you were spared the theft of your money!
I'm sure you'll find a nice affordable piano for your son. Yes, such pianos do exist. It's a shame that you sometimes have to deal with this minefield to get one.
Here is the text they are using on this one: just early this year, i lost my grandpa, he was a gentle soul and always give to the needy. after his death, i was lucky enough to inherit his Yamaha grand piano, he was always good with the piano, plays it every Sunday but i would love to give the piano out to anyone ready to give it a sanctuary, i recently moved into my apartment and i'm a bit short of space, i don't really have anywhere safe to keep the piano and i really don't know how to play it, as much as i would love to sell it, i'm sure my grandfather would prefer me giving it out. so i will gladly give it to anyone interested in it. thanks .
This piano is owned by my late grandmother I'm giving it out for free as she wishes. The sound is bright and clear, with a wonderful tone and responsive action that makes any type of music fun to play. All the keys and pedals work great and the piano was tuned recently. I've provided plenty of pics to show the condition. I recently got a new place, i do not have enough space in my new house for the piano. I need it gone as soon as possible. If you can see this posting that means the piano is still available. Send me an email, i will reply as soon as i can.
Humm - Clear case nationwide that Grandmothers who play on Kawai GS60 are taking life into their own hands? Shear geriatric negligence to put your loved ones in the predicament of getting rid of your beloved piano. It is overwhelming Craigslist!
Text from the Scammer This grand piano is owned by my late grandmother I'm giving it out for free as she wishes. The sound is bright and clear, with a wonderful tone and responsive action that makes any type of music fun to play. All the keys and pedals works perfect and the piano was tuned recently. I've provided plenty of pics to show the condition. I recently got a new place, i do not have enough space in my new house for the piano. I need it gone as soon as possible. If you can see this posting that means the piano is still available. Send me an email, i will reply as soon as i can.
Scammer Text: I am Giving out this baby grand Piano to whoever wishes to have it, it belongs to my late wife and seeing it everyday bring back sad memories so text my number if you want the Piano
Scammer Text: A Hallet Davis & Co baby grand piano with seat and leg and its in Perfect condition. I'm giving it out for free to honor the memory of my late wife, and also due to less space in my new abode as I will be moving to California in a couple of days. If you're interested and passionate about this piece of musical equipment, please leave your number or any form of contact details to aid easy communication.
Glad the Hallet Davis has a leg, if only one. They're even in rural Indiana!: https://richmondin.craigslist.org/zip/d/connersville-schimmel-baby-grand-free/7198342952.html "The Gorgeous baby grand Piano is barely 2 years, works perfect, no scratch, no dent, comes with bench Shinning black color, looks like it was bought" As opposed to stolen or inherited, I suppose. The piano is white in the photo. Maybe "shinning" means "not"?
Here is an update on the realtime piano scam: Text message to the person playing the role of the piano owner: Hello Micheal. I am actually going to be in Florida. Can I come by and take a look at the piano.
Text Message from the Scammer: The piano is in possession of the moving company. I do not have space for it, the moving company has it in storage till someone gets it.
Mark, thank you for your work on this. I posted about my experience on this thread on 5/5/19, and apparently the scammers continue.
Originally Posted by reMARKable
I find this piano scam fascinating. The complexity of the scam itself is a form of artwork.
First he sets the tone that the piano was a favorite of his recently deceased wife and second, he pulls on the heartstrings of those who feel compassion for him that the sight of the piano will cause him more pain as he remembers her. Third, he introduces the idea of significant change - the move from his home in Georgia to Miami. Fourth, he introduces the transfer to another party (the truck driver). Fifth, he transitions to the role of supporting change agent willing and anxious to facilitate the introduction to the Moving Company.
One addition to your list above. The scammer was insistent that I not resell the piano I would soon receive for free, and made me reassure him that I was a genuine piano lover, not a mere flipper! So I was trying to prove my good character, when it should have been the other way around. They have indeed refined the scam to an art form.
One reason the scam succeeds is that when your mind is made up to buy a piano, you are thinking in terms of thousands of dollars. So paying a few hundred for delivery of a free piano doesn't seem outlandish, when you would otherwise balk at handing over such a sum to an unknown party.
I was lucky to have remembered seeing an identical Craigslist ad from another location a few months earlier, so when the scammer introduced the imaginary mover, I walked away from the transaction.
Yo. guess who's back and badder than ever? Free piano in scotland. late great father - pass it on, promised not to sell... wants my email for the "TRUCK GUY" it's a corporate photo of a steinway in a showroom. Googled for information and happened to find this thread in pianoworld which I happen to be a member of! woohoo! I haven't given him my email yet, because my last one told him I thought it was too good to be true and wanted more information. It's a bummer really because, I was actually going to keep my word. I wanted a piano for a venue for myself and others to play. But I think it's absolutely final now that it is a scam. Even the story seems the same. Bah humbug!
Classical and film score composer - www.eveshka.com | 1925 Romhildt Weimar 5'5" | 1933 Broadwood 4'6"
"3 years ago to a chronic fibroid" is at it again. This time, the mother in question died somewhere in Houston. Remarkable how these old ladies drop and just leave pianos around! A miracle every time!
P.S. Thanks to the forum members in this thread for saving the scam texts. I googled the text to see if it showed up on any scam alert, and one of the first hits was here.
Last edited by Windjammer; 01/10/2203:16 AM.
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