FAKE VIOLIN PANHANDLER EXPOSED AND CONFRONTED IN TAMPA

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[@1tradesecret]

I’m going to play air guitar at my local Walgreens tomorrow, so no one can call me a fraud.

[@amywantland5359]

🤣🤣

[@2332gregor]

I'll join in on air drums to make it more believable 😅

[@VioletJoy]

😂😂😂

[@YES-gs5kr]

I wish I knew the African Zulu dance, I would so join you two at the Walgreens 😂

[@MariaRodriguez-xq4bk]

😂😂😂

[@MediCali951]

The girl leaving a tip like it’s supposed to convince you she is a customer when she’s clearly his wife or sister

[@tinicoleofficial]

Right!

[@anime_cyko]

And doesn’t speak English as well

[@Ralina2009]

Gypsy don’t speak English only know how to scamming peoples.

[@TommyWho2010]

i handed her the $1 in the beginning and requested Mary Had a Little Lamb

[@d-s_94]

She is probably both his wife and sister 💀

[@jenjosh]

We ve seen these guys. My husband is a musician so he noticed right away. We're tired of being duped and lied to

[@robertrivera4098]

I hate when people do stuff like that he should just get a job

[@luke_skywanker7643]

Start calling the cops. Also, call the State Income Tax people for your state. Get some "regulators" after them.

[@momof11gifts]

I fell for this exact scam in my local area. They had a sign that said they had four children to feed, and they were hungry. My 13 year old son that had just started learning to play violin. We were amazed at how good they were playing. We gave them forty dollars, though we didn't really have it to give. We just didn't want to see them going hungry. A week later, my sister saw someone in her area 5 hrs away doing the exact thing. Then we learned that it was all a scam. I'll try to be more cautious of the people we try to help from now on. Many honestly do need help and I hate that people like this are taking from the ones that really need it.

[@JesusisKing842]

Actually I have been guilty of the same thing . The Lord I think is trying to wake me up . I had a dream the other night that the Enemy was tricking me into doing this . I am unsure because it says to give with a cheerful heart and do it in secret . Either way , God bless those people and let the Lord convict them .

[@MisterNiles]

How is it a scam? His talent is pretending to play the violin.

[@Agent-qi4du]

This guy is so talented , he doesn't even need a violin to make music lmfao

[@beerman9807]

Lmao 😂

[@NeytiriSully659]

it's fake

[@jack-of-all-trades1234]

If Milli Vanilli and Jussie Smollett had a child who played the violin....

[@jack-of-all-trades1234]

@@NeytiriSully659 He knows that it's fake. That's the whole point of his comment.

[@natemadan]

who is that mother fucker to call that guy a fraud

[@tommyvizzle]

There's been a rise in violin crimes! 🎻🤪

[@ravenbonanza1522]

I don't even know how to play the Violin what more on Violence.🤣🤣🤣

[@timmusician5060]

😂

[@beerman9807]

Lmao 😂 haha good one

[@ilikethisnamebetter]

Take a bow :)

[@VianoMusicAcademy]

Way to string this joke along.

[@OdinTheOG]

How is this different than attending a concert anymore?

[@KEN-1991]

Concert performers hardly ever plagiarize.

[@erikb89]

I saw this guy, wife, kids, and baby out front of the Home Depot in St. Petersburg on 22nd like 3 months ago. It felt like a scam. Anyone who could play violin that good wouldn’t be a beggar.

[@johnwilburn]

I saw this exact scam in a shopping center in Virginia this week. Electric violin that seemed fishy, even in passing, and one of those well-worded signs. It's like these people are buying panhandling franchises.

[@jonathandingler3857]

Same but with a mom and some little kids

[@johnwilburn]

We had the mon and teenage daughter. I saw another today. It’s like they buy a package deal with the Chinese “amp” and all.

[@tinicoleofficial]

“Panhandling franchises”🤣

[@KipBurbank1]

Would be surprise how many people will defend them regardless of the obvious scam

[@johnwilburn]

@@KipBurbank1 There are a lot of people who probably think they look virtuous defending poor illegal immigrants trying to survive on talent. Nah….. this is just a scam. No one intelligent thinks this is noble.

[@johns3491]

If you can afford an electric violin, amp, and car, you aren't poor enough.

[@cardboardboxification]

Its their job, as the democrats say they are doing the work Americans don’t want to do

[@peterwhitey4992]

First of all, that's ignorant nonsense. Second of all, what does it matter if they're poor or not? Do street performers have to be poor?

[@johns3491]

@@peterwhitey4992 They have a sign up that says "I need money for food and rent". What does advertise to the average person walking by?

[@msteach3082]

@@cardboardboxificationHow is this political?

[@imrightyourewrong7441]

​@@johns3491What about that message states they are poor? I, too, need money for food and rent. I earn mine a different way. Leave a dollar or not.

[@TheMaxxbiff]

had the same thing at my local grocery store. immediately thought "if he can play that good, why is he bustling."

[@ericmoore571]

I actually met a famous violinist here in NYC playing in the subway for fun! We became friends. She has even played Carnegie Hall!

[@Nursegirlalexandra]

As a violinist this makes me laugh. His grip is all off, no hand or wrist movement in the vibrato lmao. Can these people at least research how to make It look real 🤣 don’t even get me started on the way he is HOLDING HIS BOW😭😭

[@ari1758]

Ok I’m not a violinist, but even I noticed that he was holding his bow very strangely. He was brandishing it like a weapon at one point 😂😂

[@raygordon3728]

Gypsies has no shame bro. I once asked one how he felt about scamming people. He felt that if people are dumb enough to give than he will take. They have zero shame.

[@Juan23456]

It’s sad to think that he is making money off someone else’s playing

[@brendacuevas08]

I'm no violin player but i noticed the same too. Like aren't you supposed to be shaking your wrist or something to make that vibration sound? I mean common sense after seeing multiple violinist playing whether in person or video 😂

[@StrickenedSoul]

For me it's how he is actually holding the strings. At one point 8 taps for 3 different notes. As a guitarist it's subtle but obvious. It's sickening

[@diannacooper9267]

Never underestimate the talent of a man in cuffed skinny jeans...

[@pugsnhogz]

Lolll

[@ag4allgood]

I think he stole them from his last girl friend !

[@RichardHeadGaming]

The quality of the music is tuned by the intonation of his cuf to ankle measurement.

[@HustlerHorstRuediger]

​@@ag4allgoodif I would get some pants out of it I would consider leaving her too.

[@JohnDoe-gi1vr]

Them obese dudes be mad af about skinny jeans 😂

[@VincentBee2532]

Compared to all the other lies and theft going on in the world, this is the least of our worries.

[@WorkerBeesUnite]

Welcome to late stage capitalism, my friend

[@VincentBee2532]

@@WorkerBeesUnite All the useless idiots marching their way to socialism and declining into an authoritarian controlled country

[@IceX92]

Doesn't mean they didn't need to be call out. They are using other's people work for self profit

[@shylapollard5165]

I genuinely wouldn't care 😂

[@VincentBee2532]

@@IceX92 i'd be more worried about all the companies tracking everything (EVERYTHING) about your life and selling it for profit. Their profiting significantly more than your paying for their product/service. Oh and add to that all the AI companies feeding off all the art that they can scape from the web - biggest rip off running. Oh and then all the assh***s shop lifting and running stores like Walgreens out town. This guy faking the violin to pay his rent is not the place to start. He's easy picking.

[@frankensteinmonster1931]

Happened outside where I work during the summer more than a few times. Everyone was eating that shit up but me and one of my coworkers. You couldn’t really confront them on it because they pretended to not speak English. The guy pretended to play the same two songs until they made enough money. One of the songs was the exact same song in this video.

[@linuxdave]

I saw this guy outside of a Target near Tampa and was amazed (from a distance) by his talent. I couldn't stop thinking about how good he was and now it all makes sense.

[@JohnDoe-mx3vg]

These same two people use to have a baby with them an they use to beg for money at brandon Walmart using the baby as a pawn .

[@Jessica-tp3zg]

Me parece que estos estafadores busca a Target porque donde vivo en Maryland también hay una pareja y ponen la misma melodía de violín 🤨🤨🤨

[@Cornpop-N-DaBoyz]

I wonder if it was the same guy down in Sarasota in a target parking lot. Also had a wife and kid w him.

[@JohnDoe-mx3vg]

@@Cornpop-N-DaBoyz lol this scammer is everywhere. Plant City , Brandon , tampa , Sarasota JESUS CHRIST . think of all the money he has made .

[@Cornpop-N-DaBoyz]

@@JohnDoe-mx3vg I was a manager at a couple targets in the area. We had a really pretty girl(early 20s) that would come in and spend a bunch of money. Nice clothes, make-up etc. Me and a couple coworkers spotted her different places kinda dirty w dirty clothes hair messy begging. I bet she made hundreds if not thousands from desperate guys giving her money

[@miguelzap9269]

The worst scam is people claiming to collect cash for someone's funeral. Evil world we live in.

[@lisagallardo3955]

It’s disgusting! When I drove home from work it happens at the same intersection. A woman runs out at a red light with a sign that says please help for funeral expenses and has a picture of a child. She walks down between stopping cars knocking on windows for money. When they she’s going to get hit and sue the person that hits her.

[@user-cm1vh5nw4f]

Love when scammers get busted!!!

[@angiewilliams5188]

Thank you for this video!

[@SatelliteDownTX]

I swear this may be the same guy I’ve seen at a Walmart in Texas. There was a guy and a lady doing the same exact thing. I’m a classically trained musician and could immediately tell he’s not playing. I told my wife it’s a scam. Glad you’re exposing these frauds.

[@LuDePaMiAl]

This man was few months ago outside in United store in Texas

[@deductivereasoning4257]

What about the professional artists using backing tracks at their shows? I got to see a soundcheck recently involving backing tracks, and well, what's the difference?

[@SadalDay]

i seen a fake flute player the other day he was blowing through the wrong end

[@dabalishis1585]

I passed by someone playing this exact song at Walmart but didn't get close enough to see if it was this guy. Anyways my first thought was that it's fake.

[@brianfleming9734]

Haha feel like they play at the waterfront plaza here in Pittsburgh

[@joeycurtis1872]

People like this are why homeless people aren't helped

[@octoberszn96]

Why don’t the homeless grab a violin and do this

[@white_devil73]

Amen

[@JRams-ix6bt]

Homeless people aren't helped because they want to do drugs and drink alcohol whenever they want. It's called not wanting help

[@montag4516]

He's homeless? You're making big assumptions.

[@white_devil73]

@@montag4516 you're not the sharpest, are you?

[@teewhy6994]

Wow, dude! You are such a hero.

[@chicagoscott2273]

thank you for doing this

[@ViralsexY2K98]

I hate that some people assume these scammers are hispanic. They’re GYPSY / ROMA and they’re from EUROPE but originate in INDIA

[@Alexandra_Hill]

Exactly, I know the accent too well and sadly these scammers give a bad name to the decent Roma ppl...and taking money from ppl who probably need it more.

[@musicalone74]

Some are Hispanic too.

[@ViralsexY2K98]

@@musicalone74 none of them are Hispanic. Hispanics would never do this kind of crap. They all look Indian, not Hispanic (yes hispanic isn’t a race but Hispanics usually look white, mixed, or black. Never East Indian, like these people do.

[@TOMVUTHEPIMP]

Yup. Roma scammers. They always got some new scam. The fake violinist is the new one.

[@ratherbeonthemoon]

@@musicalone74 1 in a million maybe, but the other 999,999 are European.

[@deanevangelista6359]

I spent four years at a fake music conservatory to learn to fake the violin and piano. With that fake degree, I became a fake music teacher, and many of my fake students have gone in to become fake virtuosos, and others just went into politics.

[@PandaSketch42]

Was the guy in the video your top student?

[@pabloareas2258]

It was probably Justin Bibber because he fakes his signing too

[@FAroundNfindOut]

Just saw 2 Indians playing violin with a super loud speaker at an Aldi and Marshalls parking lot in north NJ undisclosed location for privacy reasons, and they look to be playing but aren't ,my friends have a very happy holidays and be aware of the scammers lurking to rob us.

[@thehengy3232]

When I worked at Best Buy there was a couple that would be there almost every day during the holiday season with their two little kids holding up signs for them doing this exact same thing. I watched for awhile and could tell it was fake. They came so often though they were always out there. Really scummy shit especially doing it with your kids. Glad at least some of them are getting exposed lol Oh also one more thing this exact track was one of the ones he used lmfaooo I wonder if it’s a pyramid scheme type thing or something 😂😂

[@MaggotKingLife]

This reminds of the Family Guy episode where Peter is pretending to play piano in the store and the guy says that he's really good and then shortly after finds out he doesn't play and he announces that Peter is a phony then continues to find him throughout the episode still calling him a phony 🤣👌

[@budmeasap]

"You're a big fat phony!" 😂

[@JohnSmith-fq7hj]

Dude someone needs to have that recording and just follow this dude around playing it overtop of his radio haha

[@marke8313]

Posted exactly that, scrolled & saw your comment 😂

[@bradstoner7226]

Holy crap, this looks like the same exact couple that were out in front our Wal-Mart earlier this year! I'm in NC. I thought it was odd that he only played to background audio music and didn't take request. They got ran off by security here and I haven't seen them back.

[@derekpretto4555]

THIS IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING! One person is the handler. When you see them, call your local police and state law enforcement agencies that deal with trafficking and fraud.

[@thekendrashow]

They do this in Illinois too 😂. This man dragged his poor kids into the scam by having them pretend to play violins right outside my job. I knew it was fake instantly and I can’t even play instruments.

[@serenahopeisabella2226]

they do this everywhere bruv

[@crazymikeyx100]

I live in the suburbs of Chicago and I’ve seen this so many times. Every time I expose them, they want to get into a fight and yell at me. 😅

[@keepamerica2astrong280]

Had it here in South Carolina, even went as far as the mother breast feeding her child and had a sign no food please help. Here's the kicker she was sitting in a 2019 Chevy van with the door open. No food but a $30k van !

[@RealDJStew724]

​@@keepamerica2astrong280 same people here in Pennsylvania

[@LaDracul]

It sickens me when they use children as props. You're teaching them bad lessons instead of instilling self-respect and honesty. You NEED to be called out.

[@sabith2000]

these con artists get me so irritated, how is this not illegal?

[@makesanantoniogreatagain]

@Zack Browning but liberal cities give them free passes like they are the Clinton’s

[@Nursegirlalexandra]

@Zack Browning it’s not illegal lol. As a violinist I can say it’s so damn obvious that he’s not playing and he’s an idiot. But it’s not illegal

[@Mellow4pf]

Speeding is illegal too

[@makesanantoniogreatagain]

@@Nursegirlalexandra if they don’t have an ascap or bmi license and they are doing a public performance then yes it is illegal. It’s called copyright

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

This is why we need _The Wall_

[@jae6220]

The fact that it sounded like it was recorded in a studio would Be the biggest dead giveaway for me.

Thank you so much for exposing them.!. I apresiate it. im now your 465 suscriber, with like, share, coment etc.

[@ezzar8165]

I don’t get it~ they look young and healthy enough to work a real, honest job. It’s so shameless. My mom is one to always fall for these faux, down-on their-luck scammers but I try my best to let her see that sometimes things aren’t what they seem to be. And the ones who use their kids for sympathy, ugh. Should be illegal!!!

[@jshawney3355]

Gypsies. It's a culture of laziness. Just Google them . They are more well known in Europe.

[@shylapollard5165]

Maybe they need money until they get their first check. Maybe gas money lol I don't even look at this as a scam. Unless he becomes viral or starts getting rewards for faking it. It wouldn't matter to me 😂

[@jshawney3355]

@@shylapollard5165 gypsies. Look into them.

[@XxXHardcoreshredderxXXxxxxxxxx]

​@@shylapollard5165he just became viral wym? Taking money from people, they give him an honest chance. This dude is doing nothing all day fuxk that. Go work a real job.

[@fungdark8270]

I’ve seen these two women and a man spread out on different corners for like 5 years, sometimes with kids, and signs saying they “lost their job” and need food and rent. One of them is obese and the other two are regular fat

[@chuckyjules8488]

What!…that lady could magically speak English now?

[@robinbanks3216]

I’d never want to claim that I know very much about law, but since this is a recording of someone else playing , could the scammer not be prosecuted for copyright infringement? Just wondering.

[@toaster5666]

Saw one of these guys in Greeneville, Tennessee. He was trying to get money for his mom's rent. Same type equipment, no song request, no English, yet he was taking in lots of money. One man even went to the bank to get him money for full rent. He understood English when the man asked how much rent was.

[@something3903]

For those who don't play violin and are interested in how you can tell fake vs real playing: 1. Bow hold: the guy in this video's bow hold is really high on the bow (which can be present in baroque bow holds, but typically it's very rare) His pinky is also tense, the pinky should always be arched not straight 2.Bow Angle: When playing the angle of the bow should be facing towards you, his is facing the other direction 3.Vibrato: vibrato is when a violinist move's there wrist or arm to "wiggle" the string making the sound kinda wavy (it's hard to explain without demonstration) but the guy in the video's arm didn't move much when vibrato was heard in the music. Vibrato can usually be a main giveaway to spot in a fake violinist because the technique is hard to learn and you can't just pick it up in a couple of days or weeks (unless your a prodigy) 4. Left hand + String crossing: He crossed two many strings for the notes he played and his left hand never seemed to shift once, also there is a high part in the song where his bow was switching from E to the A string to much when he should have only played one string! 5. Electric violin: with electric violin you don't need to worry about contact point and projection because the violin does it for you, and these things are important to playing. Also it's way harder to fake playing with a normal violin plus normal violins look better! Hope this helped anyone! Let me know if I missed anything it took a while to write out! I do not like people like this who try to scam others!

[@CheesestringXX]

6. The judgemental way .You can tell by just the way they look.

[@marcusaldrich8290]

I confronted this same guy in Ventura California a few days ago

[@paulfrombrooklyn5409]

I did see a point where, while some vibrato was going on, this guy lifted his fingers off the strings. That is physically impossible to achieve.

[@kge420]

He looked too stiff, robotic. I’ve been attending the Philadelphia Orchestra for over 20 years and sit above the stage. The violinists always look very fluid regardless of tone or tempo.

[@JamesSmith-ij8nj]

Vibrato.. I have been using it for four or so years, last lesson my teacher said, we need to work on your vibrato. Almost as hard as double stops ( or playing in tune :) )

[@joemoney7640]

It’s funny when someone says “I don’t speak English” in English lol umm...

[@ChicoTheMan69]

No abla Español, I can tell you I don't speak Spanish because I have to do it a lot. So maybe.

[@deniselogan2733]

I reported them here in Paradise Valley, AZ too. They’ve been moving all around the Phoenix area.

[@Time.Travel]

Even if he is faking it, he's performing and should get paid. Why don't you go confront Motley Crue or Kiss and do the same thing. Stop taking food away from these people.

[@southerncharmed4118]

A performance nobody asked for or wants!

[@wetteryan]

To anyone defending them. It would be one thing if this was the only way they were putting food in their family's stomach and had no choice and were doing this out of desperation... But make no mistake. These people aren't struggling to eat. This is an organized group of people traveling from place to place to swindle people by taking advantage of people's kindness. For some reason over the past couple years this exact grift has exploded in popularity. Idk where this is but I live in CT and I have seen over 10 different guys doing this within the span of 2 years. They will change up the guy playing and the lady with the sign but more often than not it will be the same sign and the same van and the same equipment. Not similar... But the EXACT same sign van and equipment. They hit the same handful of parking lots with the most traffic in a certain town. They stick around a few days to a week and then move to a different lot. Usually after a week max their income starts to slowdown because the residents of the town have seen them every single day and for the most part at that point everyone that would donate has already done so. It's strategic, it's organized, it's devious and it's sick. Same exact rotation of songs on loop. They hit extra hard during the holidays incorporating holiday music into their routine. They are not in need of help. They make very good money doing this. And that makes it even more disgusting because there are a lot of people out there that genuinely do need help surviving and scams like this make the public want to stop helping anyone altogether for fear of getting taken advantage of.

[@sy-rahnefertari4698]

Exactly! It also includes the women with a sign saying homeless and carrying babies around to intersections as well the gold scam. I don’t know why the government doesn’t crack down on this.

[@samt3l3]

Your words are very wonderful well done,

[@heisensaul5538]

This video is in Tampa . I saw this exact scam happen near the Target by my house and I live in the Toledo, Ohio area. So Midwest, the South, East coast, west coast. it doesn't matter to these scammers.

[@mudmudmudmudmud7605]

I live in CT too and when I was in high school we would all hangout downtown new haven at this coffee shop. We were sitting there and a lady comes in selling roses she looked homeless so I bought one from her. When she left the guy next to me told me her and her husband own like 2 houses and have a nice car she just pretends to be homeless. One day I seen her getting picked up in a nice car. I learned something that day.

[@heisensaul5538]

@@mudmudmudmudmud7605 Yeah, a good portion of the people who panhandle are well of it seems and are just scamming. Which is a shame for the people who actually are hurting for money, food, or shelter.

[@andersson2285]

I am a violinist and I saw one the other day in a parking lot and asked him why he was not doing verbrato when the music was clearly verbrato. His hand sat still and just held a note on the wrong string for the note. He just stared at me like he did not even know what verbrato is and could not answer me about his fingers being on the wrong string. It was sad and hilarious at the same time and all these people gave him money for playing someone elses music in a public setting. I was in shock. Wonder if any copyright laws were broken?

[@robertlefeaux]

Copyright laws are broken just by asking for donation, even if you don't get a cent. Nintendo once sued a guy (and won) for throwing an unapproved pokemon themed fundraiser. Dude spent $3,000 on materials and only raised something like $1,500.

[@sess122]

I've been in the fine art field for decades and dealt with many publishers, licensing companies, etc, and to answer your question, whenever ANYone is making money off © material, whether art, music or whatever, without the © holder's WRITTEN permission, they're infringing on their copyright and can be fined big time. Of course, in cases like this, you'd have to track these 3rd world scum down and good luck with that. Wherever the hell they're from they've come to America to take advantage of Americans' kindness and gullibility.

[@shak4632]

Did he reply with "look dude, im homeless and just need some cash. I got a violin, and i can sort of play it or pretend to play it, whatever. Can i have some money for food please?" ? Or was he out there trying to sell products and merchandise, selling tickets for performances, all under the guise that he is an artist creating and performing original music?

[@Zahra.y7]

Had a ballet teacher who faked her certificate , she was teaching to go on point shoes way earlier than students were supposed to, later on I discovered she was teaching many things the wrong way and I had a hamstring muscle that got injured because we did not do enough warming up before stretching, earth is filled with low lives who taking advantage of people’s lack of knowledge

[@danabellefeuille8485]

i at least would of went all the way an play the devil went down to georgia..lol

[@michaelangelo16240]

He's here, in Waxahachie TX near Aldi. Thanks for this video

[@BrCarla]

Nothing worse that a woman defending a criminal is just so disturbing it’s almost that they will get triple punishment by god just for being part of a criminal enterprise

[@sara31773]

Such a shame. I donated to a couple young guys last year during the holidays playing music like this. I was trying to be more giving and less pessimistic about this kind of stuff and I appreciated working for the tip. Realize not long after that they were just more scammers.

[@missjo2036]

At least he doesn't force his kids to be outside or trying to sell you fake jewelry out his car or just has a sign up. He is working for just hustling.

[@sara31773]

@@missjo2036 I thought that too. I like the hustle aspect. But apparently, as shown here, they are likely faking it. That’s why he was asking the guy to play Mary Has A Little Lamb. Dude couldn’t do it because he wasn’t actually playing. Have you seen the videos of people claiming they lost a family member to cancer or a car accident and they were collecting donations for funeral expenses? How twisted do you have to be to do something like that.

[@VictorDelPrete]

I got caught by one of these too once. C’est la vie.

[@Colin_Lawlor_Audio]

You need to know when someone is faking it man. Look at the way they play and don't just listen to the music

[@Colin_Lawlor_Audio]

@@FATMAC2 are you defending scammers?

[@christophermaccarone3157]

I thought internet scams were bad enough, and then I saw this. I wish to thank you for exposing these fringe con artists. Keep up the good work, and valuable public service.

[@kahren1426]

They are a part of organized crime, not fringe.

[@Cola64]

Only going to get worse with all the new illegals 🇺🇸✈️

[@tristarperfecta1061]

😆 God forbid if I was ever a victim of a fake musician. 😆 this guy making the video has too much time on his hands.

[@KellyKelly-qd7my]

There are Gypsies.

[@peterwhitey4992]

What is so bad about this? They aren't harming anyone. If you don't like the show, don't give them money. People gladly pay huge prices to go see a musician do playback or a DJ pretend to turn knobs while the music plays. People gladly use stores, companies, banks, etc., that lie and mislead in their advertisements. But people somehow get all triggered about the little person, who's just making a living pretending to play a violin, not forcing anyone to pay them.

[@MadStyle1911]

the amount of people falling for this bull is staggering..

[@kennydubroff7772]

Personally when I pay a street artist, it isn’t because I appreciate the time they dedicated to their craft or anything… it’s because I was entertained. So long as they’re entertaining people, is it really a scam?

[@bits-of-bass]

Agree 100% It’s not much different than big acts with pre-recorded tracks and parts, except you pay a lot more for those folks. Thankfully, there are many talented musicians out there that don’t do this, but this busker is far from the worst out there.

[@kw266988]

True, Even if they suck I will toss them a dime. They are not demanding money. They are just creating an ambience

[@vinithradhakrishnan8969]

It's a scam because people think somebody is actually playing the violin or whatever instrument they're using. If you're just faking it, then there's no real performance here. I wouldn't waste my time or money watching some idiot playing pretend when I can listen to instrumentals online at home at my own leisure? Where's the entertainment here? He might as well just stand there and shake his head and it'd be the same thing since the music is just playback. As an amateur musician, I hate people trying to scam people by faking skills.

[@yourfactstory]

you right , celui qui avale des couteaux, les avallent t'il pour vrais .. ? le magicien fait til de la vrais magie ou bien cest aussi un scam ?? Think about it people !! Stop your hate !

[@Sh4rK280]

@@vinithradhakrishnan8969so do you feel the same about all of those famous music artists who have been caught lip-syncing their concerts? Technically they’re just pretending so are they scamming the audience too? Serious question.

[@kazotka]

As a violinist I want to say that his bow hand says it all about the scam.

[@truthmarshal6627]

I have personally witnessed this myself in Texas multiple times, claimed to be from Romania. Last few times usually right off interstate. Sometimes they split up and the wife and child go solicit in nearby parking lots and store fronts, claiming to be homeless. In one case I asked questions too, and offered to call police to help them find temporary help. The woman got defensive and said No police. She told me her husband was across the highway also collecting money. The more questions I asked, the faster she picked up to leave. The store manger said the woman did not have permission to solicit. I watched the woman walk to a vehicle parked by the road. Inside the vehicle was a 17-18 year old male with his feet propped up on the dash looking at his phone. They all started laughing and walked to a Subway counting the cash collected. Spoke perfect English then. People are generous, but also ignorant. We have so many social programs and options out there now, there is no need to panhandle anywhere anymore. And work, help wanted signs on every corner. They won’t starve, unless they want to starve.

[@flak88gun]

Texas? Try a local grocery store in Yellville, Arkansas. I ran them off so fast it was funny. People are generous to the point of being foolish.

[@truthmarshal6627]

@@flak88gun agree. I don’t mind helping people, but not folks that take advantage of the heart. And I’ve raised my kids, no plans to raise other adults.

[@flak88gun]

@truthmarshal6627 Besides the scammers I've seen in Houston, I saw a dirty looking Roma woman wandering through a local grocery store parking lot in rural Arkansas where I have a ranch. She had a 3 yr old child with her meandering through traffic dressed in a diaper and sandals. I was concerned for the kid and told her she needed to stop and take care of her kid. She said, "Mind own business, if not going to give me monies." Just then, a Gen-Z couple showed up, and I was the bad guy. They offered her a sandwich and she refused saying "no, monies." I got pissed and told the manager. She said, "I've already told her once to leave the parking lot!" If that kid got hit in the parking lot, you do you think would have gotten sued?

[@LasVegasDashie]

Whenever anyone has told me they don’t speak English as an excuse to not acknowledge what I said I’ll just tell them in Spanish 😂

[@hannahh.4417]

😂😂😂Right on

[@samuelstoner5651]

Is what they are doing illegal, or is it just wrong? If they are breaking the law, lock them up. Otherwise, maybe their actions should be considered entertainment (and a lesson in caveat emptor).

[@Bear-nu8xm]

Well, you’re certainly entitled to your opinions however, he is a scumbag IMO

[@supernothing77]

It could still be considered entertainment

[@gmail4218]

A case could be made that they are misrepresenting their performances and thus collecting donations fraudulently, both civilly and criminally.

[@Bear-nu8xm]

@@gmail4218 I hope so! It’s just scummy!

[@Doomstryker]

It’s an issue of legal right vs morally right. Often times there are things that are not illegal but they are considered immoral or not ethically correct.

[@averagecodplayer6469]

"Youre a fraud" "Its ok" *Bro what part there is "Ok"*

[@greggchaffin1596]

I truly hate seeing these “performers”. In my area they flock towards Target, TJ Maxx, and any other shopping center. Sad part is many still fall for it

[@branchcovidian2001]

They're doing it in front of liquor stores now, too.

[@vector8310]

That guy was playing outside a Publix in Lake Worth, and he had a wife and kids standing aside looking pitiful and destitute. I found it strange but waved it off. Now the whole scene makes sense.

[@trishpope601]

I just saw these people yesterday in VA. I too thought something was up so I smiled and drove on by

[@donaldduck4867]

I was hoping you were guna unplug the violin as he was playing! That would have been classic!😂

[@sansin6250]

I was thinking, grab his money bag and run, and have the guy give you a chase while his violin keeps playing 😁

[@donaldduck4867]

@@sansin6250 Even better idea!😂👍

[@devonchapman3932]

I just watched the video where a guy just moved the scammers bow and the music on the stereo was still playing

[@stevepope6095]

😅😂

[@funnyharleyman]

A “Milli Vanilli” moment…

[@tankhalffull]

It's called graft by deceipt.., these people are horrible and they actually raise their children in this corrupt, deceptive manner...

[@bedval1]

This guy is so good he doesn’t even need to move his wrist and hand for that vibrato. Unorthodox Eddy we call him

[@elliotthefennekin6506]

I've seen this all the time at my old job, nearly every other day this guy would play his violin super loudly in hopes of getting money, always made sure to tell because it was a small middle of nowhere town and you don't want to deal with that stuff. I'm so glad I moved out. My area was going down the tubes.

[@PaulThompsonGB]

Imagine saying you played fake violin for a living.

[@jeremykratsas1776]

I've been noticing a lot of this at local grocery stores. I instantly noticed that the notes weren't matching up with the first few that I saw but I think they're actually recruiting people who can play now because I've seen a few who are actually playing, bad notes and all but the sign, setup and the corner that they play on are all the same.

[@samc1414]

It's even worse when they walk around an intersection with a picture of a kid and say he has cancer. That photo I swear has been floating around for years of a little boy in a bed with a bandage on his head. They are starting to dress normal now like they are every day hard working people.

[@amywantland5359]

They hang out on 67th ave and Bethany in Glendale Az, same picture and now they've upgraded their shirts to a neon Green shirt that says Donations and come smack up to your Car Window and shove that sign up. I can't help when my Middle finger comes up ! Earn a damn honest living like the most of us do.

[@jstnxprsn]

A friend of mine was suspicious of a panhandler in a wheelchair and challenged him. He said, "I'll bet you don't even need that wheelchair" The scammer got out of the chair, made some lame excuse and then pushed the wheelchair as he left.

[@RetroS01]

Ive seen a bunch of these people around the bay area playing the same songs, one even was cleaning up his equipment while the music was still playing

[@joaquinamaro1240]

Some one who actually plays should just bust out their own violin and gear to offer a duet. See how they react to that.

[@DRPowell]

There’s a video of a girl in Texas doing just that. She walked towards with her own instrument and a friend recording behind her. The guy refused to play a single note.

[@JRBowling1997]

@@DRPowell link please

[@DRPowell]

@@JRBowling1997 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGOqfqx7jZKgf6M

[@crazymikeyx100]

I actually am making it my goal to do that as a violinist myself. I want to have a sign next to me that says “REAL VIOLINIST”. 🤣

[@BeanBag343]

Had one of these idiots in a Target parking lot in PA. Guy was blasting music on loudspeakers while pretending to play his violin. He had a sign that said "need money for food and diapers". Meanwhile, the Target, Petsmart, and Party City had large signs in the windows reading: "we're hiring!" It was so hard for me to not grab a job application from each store and hand them to the guy 😂

[@sarahcarrizales9759]

Similar here, the ones in my city were playing with a Party City, Ross, and Petco right in front of them. I wish I had paid more attention if I knew this was a common scam. I just walked past them because they looked like a young healthy couple so ignored their sign. Next time I will pay more attention though.

[@thurgoodstubbs9670]

Now at the Fargo Walmarts.

[@maxpowergaming462]

@BeanBag343 can I msg u a video of one in my area from today that I can't tell if it's real or fake. Wanting to call him out on it if it's fake so he will stop doing it at my work parking lot. But if it's legit then play on

[@burrybondz225]

He could be a felon. He could be dirty. He could've already applied.

[@fjk1728]

the typical stupid who believes that a cartel looking for workers is to enter and be working, pure shit from interviews that come to nothing

[@letsbfrank7084]

My daughter is still in her 5th year of learning to play violin with about 6 months of learning vibrato. I love the progress and this video is hilarious.

[@RichardHeadGaming]

I used to see a guy outside a Walmart with a sign will work for food, people would give him food and he would just toss it in the drainage ditch in the tall grass. He only realy wanted the occasional cash givers that would stop, and always turned down offers to come with someone to do lawn work etc.

[@andrewshaw6902]

Love all the violinists showing their in-depth knowledge of their art/skill

[@davekiddie4467]

You don't have to be a violinist to see its a pathetic fake, lol

[@jack-of-all-trades1234]

This is kind of like stolen valor.

[@jack-of-all-trades1234]

@@davekiddie4467 That's not what he said though.

[@willyesco25]

Who cares

[@aolson1111]

​@@willyesco25You clearly do, which is why You've left a hundred comments on this video.

[@seanfrank32]

The world is a better place today thanks to Tom!

[@frchavez22]

Unpopular opinion: I saw an old man doing this but pretending to play the accordion. It was clear that he wasn’t playing - he wasn’t even trying to hide it. But kids were dancing and people were having fun. I gave him a dollar because he was old and I assume that if he is doing this he needs the money. It’s a show and he was still “performing” even if he wasn’t playing. Also, he never claimed to be actually playing so it didn’t make me angry when I realized he was. I understand if you are a real musician how this may make you upset but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal

[@jeffcarson7534]

We’ll done. Great exposure. Right up there with spiritualists!

[@kennyomega6795]

hahaha bro said “can you play mary had a little lamb” hahahaah got em!!!

[@gwoo141]

"you don't speak English, but you wrote that sign. "

[@elyahuahyetimix-tape5065]

Sometimes you gotta confront who you gotta confront. Evil Shamelessness prevails when men stay silent & it is not confronted or exposed. HalleluYAH. Good job, cameraman.

[@CH-jv6ck]

Thank you for protecting us all

[@dathyr1]

It takes all kinds of thieves in this world. I like how these people instantly clam up and act dumb like they don't understand you. Thanks for this video on fake musicians.

[@blaster5800]

His girl even put money in that thing to show others what they want 😂

[@proyectocms]

Why don´t you do this with so many playback musics that appear on Tv, instead of? (Sorry for my bad english)

[@g.c.541]

Sadly, we live in a world where people now want instant gratification. Not only does this guy not want to work for a living to make money, but he does not want to spend the years it takes practicing too learn how to play a musical instrument. It really is quite sad.

[@allanfifield8256]

I ran into one of these two years ago. Bought the whole scam including "wife" and "child". So embarrassed for myself. Hook, line, and sinker.

[@jackattack5553]

I came across a family with a baby begging for money in the heat at a busy intersection. I felt so bad I bought them a $100 hotel room for the night. It wasn’t until they pulled up in a brand new SUV that it dawned on me they were scammers 😞

[@johnengland8619]

He probably wasn't a very good player

[@allanfifield8256]

@@johnengland8619 He might not have been able to play at all minus the recorded music.

[@MeloBurgers]

aww ur heart is in the right place. don’t let your good intentions lead u down the road to hell… ❤

[@Jamesbradley001]

I take my phone out and film these people every time I see them and give them a hard time. They got 10 bucks out of me once and I’ll never forget it

[@thomaslouis5626]

Probably making $100 or more a day!

[@Clarene24]

😂😂😂

[@kayjay1053]

Shame shame shame! Thanx for putting this up👍

[@RK-li4sw]

Wow, you caught a panhandler air jamming !big deall!!! Most people just stand there with a sign, at least he's entering.If your offended don't give him money Sherlock!

[@ramsam4522]

True. I kinda feel bad for them.

[@anthonyjanelle12]

As a guitarist I can 100 percent guarantee that he is outside in a parking lot ! 😂

[@markwest2936]

Well done, the more people that stand up and be counted the better.

[@jonreiser2206]

This is happening in a midsized town near Green Bay Wisconsin too. Was there a recent scammer conference? Who are these people?

[@kaohsiung99]

I saw a lady (like this) outside the local Walmart in Tennessee recently.

[@roseytea5068]

I love these types of videos, exposing scammers! How can they take money from people? Disgusting! Get em'!

[@sanjayw9878]

What's worse, i saw a video where he proved the guy was scamming and people still gave him money, the guy told them he was faking it and they actually said "oh well that's ok I'm just gonna give him money" 😂

[@sukhvindermangat1087]

How are they "scamming"? No one HAS to give them money, think of it as people "burning" disposable income on random stuff... CLEARLY dude's NOT a violinist, he's a guy pretending to be one in public to get a few bucks from random strangers, like were people EXPECTING someone who's in a symphony to be standing outside in a parking lot playing a violin to be "Legit"???

[@ZavHustles]

I see these dudes around Nashville and one time they even had a little kid doing it, always thought they were super talented now I know it’s all a scam 🤣🤣

[@sanjayw9878]

@@sukhvindermangat1087 They are scammers. That's the definition

[@nickc31648]

@@sukhvindermangat1087you answered your very own question… think a little harder dude, that noggin of yours almost grasped it

[@lear60man]

I saw a family doing the violin thingy just like this. Since it was the middle of a school day. I pretended to call child protection services right in front of them. A Mercedes came out of nowhere and they jumped in it and tore off.

[@SpaceJockey805]

Yeah, that didn’t happen

[@quickcar5255]

If its a scam or not who cares, there is no gun to your head to donate.

[@PsuedoTym]

He pulled out the ‘dorks’ at the end 😂miss that insult

[@naeemsol4252]

Can’t lie. It’s a good hustle! I’ve seen this in Colorado and they seem to all use the same damn songs. This is hilarious. 😂

[@rebelandweirdhead6525]

THE WAY HE IS HOLDING THE BOW IS GOING TO CRY

[@norme2681]

I was sitting in the car while my wife went into the grocery store. There was a team like this under a tree when they started playing a pair of cat birds started dive bombing them, they had to run leaving the taped music playing. That was so funny

[@MikeCoxlongg]

I was about to say that if you didn't insult them at the end, I would have been mad but you didn't disappoint 😂