Piano Scam Warning: The Truth Behind the “Free Grand Piano” Offer

Macauley Sykes
Jul 5
3 min read

In recent months, we’ve been contacted by several concerned individuals (some already out of pocket) who have come across what appears to be an extraordinary offer: a grand piano, often by a reputable maker like Yamaha, Kawai, or even Steinway & Sons (and in amazing condition), which is being offered completely free of charge.

The stories that accompany these listings are always emotive. One might involve a late husband’s beloved piano. Another may claim to come from a local church which is closing its doors. In every case, the supposed owner simply wants the instrument to go to a good home.

The only request? The new recipient covers the delivery fee, which is usually somewhere between £100 and £500.

Sadly, the piano never arrives.

Because it never existed.

How This Scam Works

These scams are increasingly sophisticated, and they often follow a clear pattern:

A high-quality piano is listed online, usually with glossy (but suspiciously generic) photos.
The “owner” is offering it for free, saying it carries sentimental value but must be rehomed quickly.
They’ll say that you don’t need to pay for the piano itself, only a modest transportation fee.
Once payment is sent (via bank transfer, gift card, or another hard-to-trace method) communication abruptly stops.
There is no piano, and the person is never heard from again.

Why It’s So Effective

The reason these scams work is precisely because they appear generous and sincere.

They appeal to:

The dream of owning a beautiful grand piano at a fraction of its value.
The emotional satisfaction of ‘giving a good home’ to someone’s cherished instrument.
The sense of urgency and exclusivity — “first come, first served”.

It is precisely this combination of emotion, opportunity, and pressure that makes people act quickly… and sometimes without due diligence.

What to Watch Out For

Here are a few signs we recommend being cautious of:

Unrealistic generosity: Grand pianos are valuable and rarely given away for free.
Overly emotional stories that discourage practical questions.
Refusal to allow collection in person or to let a technician inspect it.
Photos that appear too perfect or are identical to those found elsewhere online.
Payment methods that bypass any form of buyer protection.

Our Advice at Sykes & Sons

As a family-run business with years of experience in sourcing, restoring, and delivering fine pianos across the UK, we’ve seen first-hand how devastating it is when someone falls victim to these scams, especially those who simply wanted to bring music into their home.

We recommend:

Never sending money to a private seller unless you’ve verified both the instrument and the individual.
Asking for a serial number, internal photos, or a video of the piano being played.
Requesting collection in person, or through a trusted technician or piano dealer.
Paying the transport company directly, rather than the seller.

If anything raises a question in your mind, trust your instinct. We’re always happy to offer informal advice, even if you’re not buying from us.

Have You Been Targeted?

If you’ve encountered one of these scams, or worse, been affected by one, we urge you to report it via Action Fraud and notify the website or platform where the ad appeared.

Raising awareness is the best way to protect others.

A Final Word from Us

If you’re ever unsure about an offer you’ve seen or would simply like guidance on choosing the right instrument safely, we’re here to help.