Here is a Pinside email that I received yesterday (9/30):

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/68292

Hi Alan! My name is [removed] and I am certain that this is the pinball machine from my Father's Trust. I grew up with this machine and it is very important to me. This was never supposed to be sold, I am heartbroken to see this on the market. My sister has mismanaged the assets of my Father's Trust and there is an open court case. My father was a notable man building many of the machines at The House On The Rock. His nickname was "TheWizard" or just "Wiz" because of this machine. Here is his obituary. https://thedodgevillechronicle.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&ArticleID=7249

I am certain this is the same machine due to the ugly red touch up paint (not his doing!) and the time it came on the market. I am determined to get this machine back to Wisconsin. My question is, will you hold it for me until I can come get it? Also, is shipping it a possibility? I need to figure out if I should drive it back myself or have it shipped to Wisconsin. My cell is 608-[removed] if you would like to talk. I am really hoping you will work with me, and looking forward to your response.
Thank you!
[removed]

The machine in question has spent it's entire life in Maryland and has been home used since 1980.

Is this a new scam? Or is this guy a complete idiot to think that I would let him just stop by and "pick it up"?

Follow up or ignore?

I replied to him asking for the serial number which they should have if it's part of an estate.

I also asked for pics.

I told him that, like Dr. Ford, he is mistaken, after all, Bally made 10,005 of these things.

But I told him if he wanted to bring $950 cash (used US bills), to my house (NO shipping), he should bring three big guys to schlep this anchor up my basement stairs.

I'll let you guys know. Thanks for the input.

The guy finally replied and apologized for the first email. He said that he after my reply he compared the pics of his game to mine and they were very different.

Probably would have been better if he had done that in the first place, but, all's well that ends well. Case closed. Thanks for the input.