He's still in the hole for roughly $50k but the blurb made it appear he was out $185k with nothing back.
How did he get all this money in the first place? It was largely an inheritance from his mother or grandmother (IDR which). And he borrowed from friends and family.
I thought from the start there was something odd about the story but it appears that being blind from birth (his wife also) he's in the habit (out of necessity) of being quite trusting. The perpetrator (like a good ol' predator is) figured this out and turned the screws in a progressive manner. Any of us who have not been deprived of one or more of our major senses would think he should have called the cops earlier. But as we know, good predators have very convincing tactics to keep you from doing that. Makes me want to puke. Sorry 😞
Then again UK post office has a bit of a reputation for doing the EXACT same thing. Watch the documentary. They never apologized. Sick
Peter Grey Piano Doctor
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 07-07-2024 14:06
From: Ashley Turner
Subject: Blind piano tuner scammed out of £185k by fraudster
Thank you, Peter, for the update!
I don't remember what he lost vs what he recovered.
Is it a net-zero?
Ashley Turner, RPT
Piano Expectations
Original Message:
Sent: 7/7/2024 1:51:00 PM
From: Peter Grey
Subject: RE: Blind piano tuner scammed out of £185k by fraudster
A few updated details...from what I've been able to glean from a couple of the reports:
The photo here is not of the tuner, but rather the scammer. But more importantly Mr. Best (the scammed tuner) has currently been reimbursed 131,000 pounds (I don't know how to get the correct symbol for pounds) by the bank. So although it's a heartbreaking story, it's not a total loss. Hopefully he'll be able to recover more (if not all).
He's been in business 30 years according to what I read.
Peter Grey Piano Doctor
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 07-07-2024 11:38
From: Ashley Turner
Subject: Blind piano tuner scammed out of £185k by fraudster
John,
Thanks for the heads up about the blind technician who was swindled out of a huge amount of savings.
I wonder if a Go-Fund-Me Campaign might be in order here?
I, unfortunately, am unable to look into this possibility at the moment.
It would require reaching out to the victim, finding out if he's been compensated in any way, and if not, finding out if he's open to a Go Fund Me Campaign. And from there, spreading the word amongst piano technicians.
Anyone interested in looking into this act of charity?
Ashley Turner, SERVP
Southeast Regional Vice President
PTG Piano Technicians Guild
Original Message:
Sent: 7/6/2024 3:43:00 PM
From: John Minor
Subject: Blind piano tuner scammed out of £185k by fraudster
Just plain mean!!
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4vq2mn853o
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John Minor
The Piano Shop Inc
Champaign IL
thepianoshopcu@gmail.com
www.thepianoshopcu.com
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