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Joined: May 2006
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Off the top, feels scammy to me. I would contact with a "burner" email account, to be safe.
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Joined: Sep 2018
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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
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,202
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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!
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 480
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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.
It wouldn’t hurt to ask to see the piano...
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 326
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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: https://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthre...stic-couldn-t-decide-so.html#Post2845043Since 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.
Last edited by Lotus1; 05/05/19 10:57 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2018
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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.
Regards,
Mark
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Joined: Oct 2018
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For reference, this is the latest scam paragraph.
"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.
Regards,
Mark
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Joined: Oct 2018
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Found another one. This time out of Las Cruces. https://lascruces.craigslist.org/msg/d/las-cruces-musical-equipment-for-free/6879092080.htmlUsed 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. Regards, Mark
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OK - Found another one - Annapolis https://annapolis.craigslist.org/zip/d/annapolis-free-piano-for-good-home/6877472645.html"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." This is another variant. Regards, Mark
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Joined: Nov 2008
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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?
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Joined: Sep 2018
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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
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 625
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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
I've learned better than to shout,"Eureka!"
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 100
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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.
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 32
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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.
Regards,
Mark
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,435
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Perhaps filing a complaint with the FTC might help? https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1Some 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) https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 625
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Seeker, The robo-caller, was it that guy in Vegas? Oh, I hope so.
Craig Hair Hampshire Piano Chesterfield, MA Conservative Piano Restoration Watch us on YouTube
I've learned better than to shout,"Eureka!"
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,435
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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.
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Joined: Oct 2018
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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. https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/zip/d/lawrenceville-baby-grand-piano-for-free/7195011009.htmlOver 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:)
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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