Don't Fall For This Scam...

Real VIOLINIST Reacts To FAKE Violin Players. This fake violin scam has been going on for way too long! The fake violinists have to be STOPPED! Have you seen this violin scam in your area?
The Violin Parking Lot Scam goes like this: Fake musicians set up their instruments at parking lots and “play” a violin connected to a speaker with a backing track. They usually have signs that they need to pay the rent or take care of their mom or starving children, etc. A scammer will usually set up outside of Walmart, Target or shopping center and they tend to run away when they are caught and exposed. You can tell if they aren't playing by looking to see if the bow movements are matching up with the notes you hear.
50 Cent Cover by @Josh Vietti
• Josh Vietti - In Da Cl...
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OVERVIEW
0:00 Intro
0:20 Fake Violinist 1
1:19 Fake Violinist 2
3:40 Fake Violinist 3
4:45 Fake Violinist 4
5:53 Fake Violinist 5
6:06 Fake Violinist 6
6:20 Fake Violinist 7
7:34 Fake Violinist 8
#violinscam #violin #fakeviolinist #scam #viola #cello #streetperformer #livemusic #inspiration #violinist #hiphop #pop #popmusic #50cent #indaclub #musician #scammer #stayinspired #inspire #inspired #inspirational

[@user-ec6xd2ig4c]

You have no obligation to give money to anyone. Don't tolerate these scammers.

[@janeblogs324]

Except the IRS right?

[@DogFish-NZ]

Christians are like "here's my money, sky wizard stuff"

[@tamiz8895]

Shameless con artists. Even the woman who is defending him is a victim of his lies.

[@ScarFace5566]

That’s part of the problem, they negatively reinforce this scamming behavior and the scammer will keep doing it because “well, they know it’s fake and still pay me!?!” 😢

[@johnnovak9982]

And this is why, when someone’s really playing, no one gives them money and shame on those people for giving that guy money

[@BUG3650]

Understand everyone's perspective!! they don't know whats the truth.

[@user-rk3ho3lc5q]

If you want to give money to these street scam artists, go right ahead if it makes you feel better. He probably lives in a luxury condo and drives a 2021 BMW 3 series.

[@Dan4bela]

luxury mansion and a 2023 Maybach. I have to correct you.

[@paulkane7771]

Well, hey, he needs the money so that he can go get the new 2024 model!!

[@necgist]

AHA! I heard a guy in a Michaels/Target parking lot playing violin next to a “help me” sign and I was BLOWN AWAY. Crazy high skill level, but I was only driving by. This explains it! I remember thinking, “If you can play violin like THAT, WTF are you doing in a parking lot?!?!”

[@T-wrecks91]

Ask him to play something simple like Mary had a little lamb and watch him fall apart

[@janadogan-qy7ci]

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I was scammed by this about 10 years ago. But it will never happen again. I thought it was real. You are an amazing young man and I just subscribed to your channel.

[@littlegoobie]

I've called out a ton of fake guitar players on youtube and other places. It's hilarious because, like you said, if you play yourself, you can tell immediately. Most of the time, the hands are moving sorta in time with what you hear, but the actual playing technique is all wrong. Another big clue is for parts that go high and low, they move ALL the way up and all the way down the neck....just too far up/down for the actual interval.

[@KamranSH]

Thanks for bringing this up. People have no shame and take advantage of the kindness of others.

[@mikelessard7492]

Hence never give cash to nobody...offer a meal or clothes n that's all....anything else they want u have to work hard for it like everyone else

[@yanzulyfx9887]

I see white people doing it on flea market pretending they are veterans and asking donations for church to help veterans.

[@FogGoblin]

​@@mikelessard7492You're a scumbag and have had everything handed to you. You don't know what it is like to beg when in need. Give them Cash. Not your place to Judge. If you were in their shoes you would also do what you gotta to survive.

[@YUHJKT]

These aren't "people", these are Gypsies.

[@Crazy_American-Videos]

@@mikelessard7492 i still give money. because everybody isnt a scammer. thats why you will always work a 9 to 5

[@Wolfshield777]

It matters because if he’s lying about playing the violin, the odds say he’s lying about his mother needing rent money.

[@krazeekimo]

Thank you for posting this video. I play guitar and I used to busk in some of the worst weather, just to feed my kids. I know what it's like to really work for 'tips' and I find this scam really disgusting.

[@chadguindon6909]

Not just the "instrumentalists" but the "vocalists" too. I have recently caught a street "singer" lips-incking to a prerecorded vocal performance done by someone else other than him. I am a real singer and I was able to tell he was faking it. He had incorrect posture, no movements in the diaphragm or larynx and he had improper mouth placement as he was mimicking the singing. I had a nasty confrontation with him. Yes, I was insulted and disrespected considering I worked hard on my craft.

[@Vassil00]

Those who say it doesn't matter are actually just trying to excuse their own ignorance and desire to not want to look dumb. This correlates to a lot of the bad behavior excuses we have to deal with in our larger cities.

[@lifeinlimbo2186]

As a confidant musician who can quickly learn any stringed instrument,I thought I could at least give a violin a try. After a few tries that sounded like a dog being torn in half,I realized,I was wrong.

[@Aleboy40]

Thank you kind Sir,For posting this clip,one of my biggest regrets in my live was to quit the Violin in seventh grade because it wasn’t cool and was really hard for me , to see them scamming really hurts and is not fair to the people Like yourself who put in all the work to learn .man I wish.

[@mariagrenat6147]

There were persons doing this at our local Walmart. They stayed for about 3 weeks. They were all adults.

[@danielpinzone2800]

A life wasted and they're passing it on to they're offspring

[@thesurfingviolinist]

I thought I was going crazy. Thanks for making this. We had one locally use the exact same cover the first kid was using.

[@AmericanKnowmad]

Awesome so I am a real cello player who plays real music at places similar to this and I am now regularly dismissed as being fake... This is hurting my hustle.

[@thetruths7389]

Just use an acoustic Cello with no speaker so it looks real.

[@TBD3.0]

There was a guy on the Las Vegas strip singing to back tracks and the guy sang so good and precise that people were going uP^ to him asking him if he could sing without the music, they were convinced it was a C.D. but when he sang without the music they were awe struck they could not believe what they were hearing, it was his real voice, he even accompanied his voice with a guitar which they also thought It was "fake" but when they saw him play it very well without the music they were amazed. The guy was so good at blending and mixing his voice and his guitar people thought it was a C.D. only to later realize it was really him singing and playing his guitar along to the music back track.

[@TheIndependentLens]

@@TBD3.0how many times do you write the same thing?

[@deadsetondreams1988]

I've seen 1 family before years ago. It was during the 4th of July fireworks and the daughter was playing the violin. They just had out a hat or bucket to collect money (I don't remember which). But I gave some change. While I was walking back to my vehicle people in the crowd were talking about how people where just doing it to get money since there were a lot of people there they could get money from which makes sense. I didn't even realize it might have been a scam until I heard others say it might have been. I'm an amateur violin player so it made me happy seeing a kid "playing" the instrument I love. I used to donate a lot at this time knowing that they might just be scamming. Because for every scam there might be one person who actually needed it. I've had many bad experiences with homeless people since then. And a few scammers who took money from me and I don't donate anymore. The few ruin it for the majority. I would pick up their bow just to prove to others that they weren't playing since the music would keep playing. The quickest and easiest way to disprove their instrument scams.

[@divineknowledge4607]

The rationalization the people that give them money make is so harmful to society and can't even see that!!!

[@LolItsADaniel]

Saw one of these where I work. I don't give money to panhandlers, I don't even carry cash, but I never actually looked at the guy to see if he was faking it. But out of all the panhandlers I've seen he def had the most people stop and give him money, by far.

[@joeybagodonuts6683]

I've started running these aholes off every time I see them. I do sit and record them for a bit first just to make sure, it's usually really obvious in just a minute or two. Then I just tell them I know its a scam and loudly berate them so anyone walking by hears the truth of it, until they pack up. Very much like some of these vids. It's nice to know I'm not the only one trying to do something. Two so far in just the last few months. Everyone needs to spread the word! Unfortunately its not actually illegal. Public shaming and education is all we can really do.

[@cakesteak]

I need to lounge around with a sign that says "Gimme your money, you don't know what I need it for, give it to me."

[@xxringpop]

😂 fooled me! I didn’t know this was faked! But the vibe was wrong. Thanks for the heads up. Some people have no shame!

[@CategoricalImperative]

They should've played that hip hop classic "I'm bringing Gypsy back" .... it's a classic. I have met SO many people who give money to these scammers, it's insane.

[@jadetiger88888]

the original artists should sue these people!!

[@whomiswhowespeaktobutwhoiswhom]

This was big in the St. Petersburg Florida area. Every Christmas season they were out there faking this crap.

[@HandwhistlerBen]

My daughter is a violinist and I am a Retired K-8 Music Teacher. I can tell by watching. Thank you for binging this out!

[@norcaldeemichaels]

We had a Roma mom & son team with an accordion doing this in Salem Oregon about a month ago. I could tell it was a ruse from across the parking lot, so to prove my suspicion, I asked him to play “Happy Birthday” for my wife, and surprise, they don’t speak English.

[@UhtredOfBamburgh]

Dishonesty is a type of personality

[@veno8mm]

It's sad when people get conned they just double down and justify "oh well they need the money". That's what's wrong with society today. Herd mentality right there. When ppl have to face their mistakes they rather gang up on the person trying to expose the scammers. Ignorance and stupidity exposed, they rather ignore the truth. Vehemently steadfast on their decision to remain complete dumbasses.

[@SkoobyShnacks]

If someone needs a speaker and music to play the violin…99% of the time it’s always fake…..

[@maytons]

I like how when he plucked the violin the strings were incredibly out of tune.

[@RomanticodelaMediaNoche]

Eric thank you very interesting video of what’s going on out there !!!

[@kimberlyfrancis6040]

Thank you sooo much for raising awareness on this messed up scam...I'm not a violinist but I play piano and I know music. I spotted it pretty quickly. Scam scam scam!!

[@spiritualangel6386]

Same sign and all about having 3 kids to feed... wow people suck!

[@texasnyghtmare]

This scam just goes to show you how dumb people are to just give money away

[@CS-ys4sy]

I knew an idiot at work that was so amazed by these people. He'd come back from lunch having given them however much money, talking about "how good it is to help them" and all this crap. I told him they are scammers, and he felt if they needed money so badly, they need the help. I told him they drive BMWs and use their kids in the hustle, depriving them of education. I realized it was all a gesture to make himself feel good about himself, had nothing to do with actually helping people.

[@jasonmerciers7115]

One of them got me today for $20 in Chattanooga TN. I told my wife about him when I got home and she had seen your video. I hate that I fell for it, but I can live with losing the $20 and learning a lesson.

[@CJfunctional]

The lady was still going to give money. My goodness. We are rewarding bs

[@user-hk3hl2kz4z]

Bringing lil kids into begging/hustling is always so shameful. See it everyday in Atlanta little 3-7 year old babies standing off the side of the highway selling waters and Gatorade’s with their “mother”

[@xmiller7691]

Look for the scammer pretending to text to start the recording .

[@amasterofbation]

Like most people begging in a parking lot, I just ignore them

[@jarmaninu3567]

It's sad that people gain money from other people who literally worked hard to play an instrument that take years to master. Very insulting to the actual musicians! They notice!

[@frankoee6755]

Most of these types of People have, a problem with being honest asking people for help. Instead choose to scam people out of money ‘no guilt’ just hustling. A lot of these people are doing pretty good financially, but choose to take advantage of lacking folks.

[@applehead252]

Yep . Down the street from me making bank and dude doesn’t to care and people be making it rain on this dude!!!

[@ScarFace5566]

Don’t know what’s worse, the over acting of the fake violinists or the Lame excuses of the people tipping and providing Negative Reinforcement of this scam!

[@c.s.5177]

Rewarding dishonesty is so stupid.

[@Mikepservice]

As long as you have ignorant people, you will always have scammers

[@Creole_Lady]

It’s always the suckers that fall for these scams! Ever so quick to toss their money

[@truthteller1951]

First time I’ve seen this, what a shame. We do have a guy that occasionally plays completely unplugged at our super market. He’s in a local mariachi band and plays wonderful classical.

[@jamesjones-rp6cl]

Right on !! Us musicians practice on our instruments plus learning theory it all adds up to be alot of work . I play guitar guitar Acoustic and also Electric , I know alot of songs but it's never ending every time you learn to play and sing another song it's a small victory that doesn't last long at all before you're tired of playing that song and are now working on something new . Like I said it's never ending work .

[@MikeyLovesLife]

It's so obvious to a musician. The notes get higher in pitch as the hand goes lower down the neck...Not today scammer!

[@tomj528]

I ran across this same thing this summer at the grocery store parking lot. Same sign, same kind violin and it was annoying because the guy had the volume so loud. I just cranked the Van Halen until he packed it up and left.

[@bernadettehuff2984]

OMG, I saw this about 2 weeks ago in front of Michael's in FL. he had the same sign too, about his kids, I think he had 7 of them, LOL I didn't give him money, but I loved the recording.

[@needtoknowbasis5620]

you have a good attitude

[@rosaspanjol673]

Just ignore them!…and,do not give them money!

[@MrBigtomp2]

Wow, I never knew. Thanks

[@stereothrilla8374]

High class hustle!😂😂😂

[@edwardwaterhouse6888]

I’m sitting in a target parking lot waiting for my kids and her friends to quit shopping watching this video while watching a violin scam.

[@gregoriyefimovichrasputin4931]

Violin scam. What a joke.

[@LudiCrust.]

I’ve seen 2 different people do this exact scam at my local grocery store in Indianapolis. I don’t play the violin but I could tell neither was playing it because they weren’t matching the strokes with the music. Plus one of them was a kid that was 7 or 8 & he was playing a classical music masterpiece while his parents held a donation basket & held up a sign 😂 like come on do you take us for fools?! I was a bit proud of the fact they had no money in their basket & they’d been out there for at least an hour while I was in the store.

[@bobabooey285]

A fool and their money....

[@migf27]

I saw the scam just this weekend at a whole food’s store parking lot.

[@ricodinero4926]

Damn gypsies and Venezuelans , welcome to America!

[@CVM222VOLT]

I have come upon one of these scammers myself and they as most that I see in these videos are playing electronic violin with no conventional body. I assumed that way they can drag the bow across the strings making no noise to interfere with that which is recorded. Curious how this video shows one person using what looks like a conventional violin

[@Phileepoh]

Saw this at my local target i LAUGH at this bs

[@katritter6482]

it seems like they all have the name playlists we have a guy here in my city who is always out at the outdoor mall, and he fake played all of me too!

[@LordKreiden]

I wonder if this is a chain organization; because I have seen a bunch of these violinists around and they are always playing the same type of electric violin and the background music is always the same. 🎲🎷🛸

[@dariovictor6409]

All these players should become professionals. Wow 😮! 😂😂😂

[@maratonlegendelenemirei3352]

Man: "The guy is a complete fraud because he's not playing, it's only a recording!" Woman: "That's ok. I'm still going to give him some money!"

[@juddgranger7457]

Nice to see this is a scam. I have seen people pull this crap

[@robertosantos-vx6pn]

It is another version of stolen valor as people dedicate their lives to this art only for this guy to cheapen their hard work by pretending to play.

[@ridesharebiz5317]

If the strokes are not up and down then its a clown. What about performers who lip-sync at a paying cincert? Even the music is not live.

[@ap6232]

if the guy in the Michael's parking lot is lying about playing the violin, don't you think he's also probably lying about his life situation? And oh, the tightness of that bow hurts my soul...

[@sicboy83]

Dumb people deserve to give up their money to these scams. They prolly get taken over the phone all the time

[@glasshalffull2930]

In my town there are gypsies that have their small children out in the 95 F weather just with a sign, “Need Money For Food.” At the end of the day, hubby comes by in a brand new Caddy Escalade to pick them up.

[@TheKnoxvicious]

Says a lot these people always resort to “I no speak English!!!” How pathetic

[@McChrister]

Is it me or do all the signs look similar? Yes, this is troubling, playing a violin when you don’t know how to play the instrument! My daughter played for about 5 years (from 8 till about 13 years). And especially in the beginning there were lots of tears….She was really hard on herself! Nevertheless i don’t think I would give anything to these “fake “ musicians out there. Thanks very much for sharing these videos. Blessings send from Canada🙏🏼🍀👋🏼🇨🇦

[@BillRayDrums]

As a lifelong, practicing musician I just gotta say if ever someone needed to have their instrument stolen, this is one such instance where it would be perfectly fine. But to call this "genius"... This is just a filthy scam artist trying for low-hanging fruit.

[@hardlines2635]

Is it any different to superstars when they mine.

[@beatrizlove8448]

Fake playing and fake sign 🪧

[@patriciacosyleon2774]

The lady should have given you the $ for being in the sun and exposing this fake.

[@stephcalderon75]

God you can hear it. Played in my youth. The bow movements does not align with the sounds.

[@bobbycheck9300]

You’re right I think they should have been in those department stores Ramsack in and stealing clothes and shoes specially tennis shoes Jordans 🤷🏻‍♂️😂😂😂

[@mfar3016]

The violin scammers in my neighborhood actually take Venmo! 😆

[@rbspider]

I may have given a guy two bucks same setup. Supermarket parking lot, out near the last row. Nobody was around, watched for a while and didn't see anyone give him money. It had to be 90 degrees.

[@user-yz7oi4hi7e]

As a young hippie hitchhikeing across America i was in San Francisco looking for work when i met a guy who panhandeled downtown. I asked him how much he made a day & he said around $500 or more depending on the season. I quit giving to panhandlers . I never did it. Too much pride. Would rather work. The hippies didnt want to work. It was easy to find a job.

[@karladuncan4026]

I live in jacksboro tn. I saw two guys doing this. I thought they were making a music video.

[@DirtyDovi]

It's random that this vid hit my feed, buuut.. My mom used to play the violin.. I was always drumming, but, gave the v a whirl, but, just couldn't get it.. Seeing these posers cracks me up but at the same time makes me want to swat em'.. Speaking of Actual Violin Players - if you haven't already: Check out Karolina Protsenko Violin! She's just kid but Kills It doing street performances, and, she's done a lot of pretty cool covers! Nice vid bro! Sam -

[@howiescott5865]

I play the guitar... sort of. It saddens me to see a scammer play for money on a piece that i myself struggle with. This is a person with no sense of pride, no honor, and no shame. I'm just glad this not me.

[@904jagzsuck5]

Even if their playing is legit, DAFUK you afford an E-violin and speaker system and out here beggin for rent money?? 😂😂😂😂

[@bev50uk]

2 playing at levanti beach in benidorm last year and same ones this year and today we sat watching and said he's not playing that... then saw this article... last year someone gave the guy 20 euros to come over and play happy birthday.. he took the money and went back over the street and didn't play happy birthday and said he couldn't play at that side of the street as there was no electric for his equipment .. we did think it was very strange. But no idea he was a scam ... until we sat watching him today and yes we said he's not really playing that omg.... its terrible....

[@tormid100]

An absolute con. Its just so wrong. Thanks for exposing.

[@allanfifield8256]

I fell for this in Visalia (CA) about a year and a half ago. I didn't give much money, but I gave 1000% enthusiasm. Bought it hook line and sinker.

[@maricelaa6]

Hey I used to live in Tulare Ca not far from Visalia

[@allanfifield8256]

@@maricelaa6 Nice!

[@andyshort4876]

If I catch em again I'm gonna follow em' home and amp live vivaldi flute concertos for a solid 6 hours. So they can hear what that dedication really feels like.

[@DarkHorseWoodworking]

We had a rash of this here in Louisville, KY and it's pathetic!

[@user-hk3hl2kz4z]

That lady is IGNORANT, “it doesn’t matter.” He lied about playing the violin, why wouldn’t he lie about needing help for his family when he’s got brand name clothes on, an instrument he can clearly afford to own and not play, and sound equipment? She’s enabling the hustle but whatever

[@johnglue1744]

Hahaha I watched a group of 4 mid 20 looking people with signs outside a Target near my house. It's on my way home from work and I had to stop there one night , saw the people inside with 4 carts full of stuff then watched them head out to a new car to load it up after purchasing lol.