Description

I received a forwarded email message from a trusted friend who is aware we play the piano and wanted to share this good deal. The forwarded email stated that a recent widow was downsizing and interested in donating a Steinway Piano; the email indicated that we could look at it and then arrange a pick up date. I emailed the "owner" who went by Rachel Bate ([email protected]). Rachel emailed pictures of the Steinway Baby Grand Piano and stated that the piano was almost new, that it was her late husband's and stated that she had moved into an apt and provided her "mover's" contact details. She stated that the arrangements should be made today as she did not want to pay the storage any longer. The storage information and movers details that Rachel Bate provided were: Storage Ref #: AZEDGUNP77; Contact name: Bryan Jeffers; Contact Details: [email protected]; website: www.axonshippers.com. She added during the correspondence that she had used these movers for 6+ years and "pleased with their services." Bryan Jeffers, Warehouse Manager, Axon Shippers sent me three options to ship the piano. Bryan Jeffers also sent me a picture of a shipping crate with the print "Steinway Piano" and on top right "Axon Shipping." He stated that the crate was ready to be shipped, and upon request, I provided Bryan Jeffers with my name, delivery address, phone number, reportedly to prepare a shipping quote and invoice (Bryan Jeffers described himself as my "onboarding shipping assistant throughout the shipping process." Bryan Jeffers reiterated what Rachel Bate, the "owner" specifically that "the owner of the piano wants it out today so she won't have to incur extra storage fees." Bryan Jeffers asked that I make payment to "enable the delivery to commence." Bryan Jeffers wanted me to send Zelle payment to: "Zelle ID: [email protected]; Zelle name: Jasper Vargas; Narration: AXON; Amount: $615.00." I attempted to make the payment via Zelle, however, this email address was not recognized by Zelle, so I did not continue. Rather, I cautiously informed them of the information and Bryan Jeffers apologized for the inconvenience and offered that I try to submit payment using the following number: 347.791.1513 and asked that I contact him when the transaction was completed. I realized that this was possibly a scam and ignored additional attempts the "shipper" and "owner" made to reach me to include additional emails and then phone calls. The "owner" Rachel Bate's who was copied in all the correspondence was complicit in this scam.