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Piano Donation - Moving Fees Scam

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Piano Donation - Moving Fees Scam Reports & Reviews (4)

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA • Jan 04, 2024
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First contact message: Name: Sophia Thompson

Email: [email protected]

Subject: Piano Donation

Message: Hello, How are you doing? I am looking to give away my late husband's Yamaha baby grand piano to a passionate instrument lover, so please let me know if you will take it or have someone who will care for it. Regards, Sophia.

Later:

The Piano is currently in storage with the movers I employed to move my properties from my house. The movers can deliver anywhere. However, the beneficiary has to pay moving costs

And from the "company":

Thank you for providing the delivery details. Based on the information provided, we have prepared a delivery estimate for your consideration.

Delivery Estimate:

• Same day delivery ($1350)

• 3 Days delivery ($850)

• 6 Days delivery ($750)

• 12 Days delivery ($650)

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- Bridgehampton, NY, USA
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A woman supposedly from the alumni office of the university sent an email saying that another alumnus had lost her husband and was downsizing her home. She had a 2014 Steinway Baby Grand that belonged to her husband and she was willing to give it to a loving home if it could be moved. She was paying for storage in a temperature-controlled facility and didn't want to pay for another month. She referred me to the facility saying they were movers as well as a storage company. She gave me the name of the contact, Bryan Jeffers, and an email address with a reference number. I contacted him and was told that he could have the piano delivered to me in NY for

$915. He asked for my name and address and number so that an invoice could be sent to me. He said the owner of the piano needed it moved that day in order to avoid more storage charges. Too many red flags. A free Steinway piano, (they sent pictures) no physical address for the storage facility, an urgent need for shipping and cheap price (compared to other quotes I got). I went on-line to check out the shipping company. It was sketchy, but then I Googled Bryan Jeffers and the scam came up right away on the Better Business Bureau website. The exact same details!!! Thank heavens for BBB. Be warned!

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- Mahopac, NY, USA
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First the scammer posted a very high quality baby grand piano for free, but then when messaged, they said "Yes... It's still available, although the ad is for my sister, but you can send her an email at [REDACTED]". That email address led to a person Karen Nguyen who gave a bit of a sob story. "How are you doing? The piano used to be owned and played by my husband who is now deceased and it was last tuned in June this year before he passed away. I am almost done moving my properties and I don't think my husband will be happy if I sell his piano, at the same time I am not happy seeing it around because of the less storage I have in my new house. So, I'm hoping to give it out to someone who is a passionate lover of the instrument, someone who will take care of it. I would be more than happy to give it to you, for the sake of your future kids. I know the piano will be in good hands and will be taken care of. The first lady I thought would get it didn't show up as she promised and I wasn't going to leave it alone in an empty house...It's currently going to be with the movers I employed to move my properties from my house, which is on the move. If you don't mind making new arrangements with the movers, I can attempt to get in touch with them to reroute it, this should not attract too many charges since the distance can be recovered within a day or two. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but do let me know if you wish that I get through to the movers. Just so you know I'm not giving out a scrap or a waste. It’s in good shape.

Thank you,

Dr Karen"

I asked about the measurements, to which they replied with measurements. After that, they replied with this message:

I was able to get through to the movers to let them know they would move the piano back. All you need to do now is to contact them and make new arrangements as regards the rerouting process. I also would like you to take some pictures when it arrive at your house and send them. The rep said you should present this Referral ID AR[REDACTED] to an agent via their live chat on their website at https://de-eaglelogs.com/index.html to initiate a reroute. Let them know Dr Karen Nguyen referred you and give me feedback afterward.

Regards,

Dr Karen

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- Pawling, NY, USA
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A note: people frequently want to give bookshelves/furniture/pianos to churches, and we probably receive a call or an email every other month to that effect, so the idea of still another person wanting to donate a piano is perfectly routine, which is what makes the scam even more convincing in this scenario.

The scammer emailed our church with the following initial email:

"I hope this email finds you well. I am currently in the process of moving and have a beautiful Yamaha baby grand piano that I would love to donate.

This piano holds a special place in my heart as it belonged to my late husband, he deeply appreciated the artistry and beauty of music. It would mean a lot to me to find a new home for this instrument where it will be cherished and properly cared for.

If you know anyone who is passionate about the piano and would genuinely appreciate the opportunity to own and play this Yamaha baby grand, please feel free to share my email. I would be more than happy to provide further details.

In addition, I humbly request your kind consideration in mentioning the availability of this piano in the Church newsletter. Your assistance in spreading the word would be immensely appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help. I look forward to potentially connecting with someone who has the same love and devotion for this instrument."

After a reply on our part to request further information, we received this reply:

"The Yamaha Baby Grand Piano GC1 model used to be owned and played by my husband who passed away last year, the dimension is "151cm by 146cm" . It was last tuned sometime last year before he passed. She's about 3 years old and in an impeccable condition.

I moved my properties to Arkansas recently and I don't think my husband will be happy if I sell this piano, at the same time, I am settling for a home of lesser space, so I'm hoping to give it out to someone who is a passionate lover of the instrument. I wasn't going to leave it alone in an empty house.

The Piano is currently in storage in Little Rock Arkansas with the movers I employed to move my properties from my house. The movers can deliver anywhere. However, the beneficiary has to pay moving costs. In attachment are the pictures of the piano. I look forward to your reply."

The idea that someone in Little Rock would try to give away a piano to a church in rural New York State seemed obviously absurd, so I looked around online and found the exact text of the email we had received, with minor alterations, in a dozen different places. Suspicions confirmed, and others in the area alerted.

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