Fake violin playing scammer (Beware of traveling scam artists/buskers)

This is in Michigan but they are everywhere.
Heres the Despacito cover he used from Andre Soueid on KZbin: • DESPACITO - Luis Fonsi...

[@Cowdog1]

I think it would be hilarious to tip him with fake money. 😂

[@michealowns21]

Yea or even monopoly money,would be funny.

[@zandig666]

Good one !!!!!

[@devinmetalfreak]

If he is going to play pretend then that is what he deserves, pretend money.

[@danielkeslerjr4407]

Or Italian lol

[@petesmith6434]

These fakers are ruining it for true street musicians. These scammers should be exposed every time they show up anywhere.

[@caseywindom9003]

I agree

[@123Spinderella]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@mosaicsignature7420]

I just find it hilarious that these fools are posting signs begging for money yet they can afford expensive sound equipment, expensive electric violins. They also wear expensive clothes and shoes. And I also think it is pathetic that they use their children or other peoples children to fake play and make them stand in Extreme heat to make money for them. Don’t give your hard earned money to these people.

[@caseywindom9003]

Yep! Exactly

[@hannahs4624]

Omg, I've always thought these people were so talented 🤦‍♀️ I have never played music, so they fooled me! Luckily I've never given any of them money. Amazing what people have the nerve to do when begging for money! I think they're hoping people are just coming in and out and catching snippets and not sitting there watching 😂 so funny you caught him.

[@KEN-1991]

The best way to expose scammers (for musicians only): · Have someone record you. · Bring your own stringed-instrument and loud-speaker. · Put him/her to shame with your skills.

[@TomMSTie1138]

That would be the funniest thing ever!😆

[@robertintexas]

There is always a family that hangs out with the scammer near me. Usually a woman holds the sign begging for money. If you video them, they get upset and demand you stop, because they don't want to be exposed.

[@caseywindom9003]

Lol Yep thats how it goes Do they do the violin thing too?

[@robertintexas]

@@caseywindom9003 Yes, always the violin with an amp. My granddaughter plays the violin in high school. It makes her angry. lol.

[@ivanovskameow999]

Are your local scammers the two women that are shown in the video titled "Hairball and Megan duel with the fake violinists"?

[@kristie369]

Wow I don’t even play violin and can tell his stick movements aren’t even going with the music

[@bobp6742]

This bloke must be a carpenter as it looks like he's sawing his way through the poor violin

[@riclmena9395]

Definitely the wrong song" Eva Maria" to use when you're scamming people. How shameful

[@alanbanh]

Go confront them. Scare them a little by waving your arms so they stop playing and you’ll expose them as the music keeps playing.

[@caseywindom9003]

Oh that's a good idea!!

[@bonehound4511]

Outstanding Casey!!!...I'm not a musician but I totally love and respect music and the instruments used to construct such harmonic sounds...PUT HIS FAKE AZ ON FRONT STREET!!!...

[@thomasblevins1662]

Jimi Hendrix said it best….”Band of Gypsys”

[@antiwokeguy]

Just saw this at Kroger in Ohio, reported it to police. I hate scammers

[@caseywindom9003]

I'm glad people are catching on and noticing the scheme! Yes it is extremely frustrating.

[@llamaboy1991]

Dublin? Lol

[@antiwokeguy]

@@llamaboy1991 Lebanon

[@oscarlacson1471]

I’d offer $50 to see this scammers play without the pre-recorded music.😂

[@caseywindom9003]

😅

[@phoenixlight1111]

Toss him a tennis ball, see what happens, lol. Not gonna lie, I've seen this in my city in Colorado and thought 'oh how pretty! This is sooooo nice, my gosh he's talented!' And then I'd sit in my car and just listen and it sounded beautiful, but then I noticed the movements didn't match the cords he played, and I have no clue how to play a violin. Or anything, lol. So I have been suspicious since then! Also, they're all playing the same 3 songs it seems, wherever they are. I've seen them at King Soopers and Walmart 🤨

[@tarlokmann4639]

They are Ramain scammers

[@kennyomega6795]

love your video!!! keep exposing these suckers!

[@caseywindom9003]

Thank you! Oh I definitely will. They pull off a pretty good act so most people will not be able to notice the discrepancies that give the fakers away. But I'm glad more and more people are noticing or finding out!

[@michealowns21]

Gotta love when they play songs,that have beats to them lol.

[@caseywindom9003]

😆

[@moseshenry8707]

These scammers needs to be stopped

[@warriorpoet8119]

I carry a little bit of Monopoly money around for such occasions, I see these people around Houston all the time.

[@caseywindom9003]

😆 good idea

[@leamissyoy]

Try to get fake money, and pay the fakers with fake money, this is the best they can get for real. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth ^^ he really has the build of a violinist lol and certainly the hands of a mason worker. He doesn't know how to hold the bow properly either. This stands at the end normally. I was a pianist and I played with a violinist, my niece also plays the violin ^^

[@caseywindom9003]

That would be pretty funny. And yes I agree with the not knowing how to hold the bow (or move the bow properly for that matter).

[@richardcarroll9864]

I thought about doing just that 🤣.

[@itsmiquelle9698]

This is terrible considering real violinist spend lots of money and years of practice to be a good player. These scamers are stealing music from real musicians and are stealing money from passerbys who simply are trying to be generous. Pathetic!!! 💔😭😤

[@caseywindom9003]

Most definitely!! Could not agree more!

[@BearMountainBigfootRescue]

It'd be hilarious to cut the cord without him seeing it while he kept faking it without it connected. Great job, young lady!

[@caseywindom9003]

That would be pretty funny 😆 Thank you!

[@pdtech4524]

He's surely a comedy act rather than a violinist? I've not laughed so hard in ages, it wasn't even close to looking real, he put zero effort in, I'm no violin expert but I know the bow has to move in time with the music 😉 😲😳😁 What a complete and utter plonker! 👏

[@caseywindom9003]

😆 I'm with you on that

[@norhappens4853]

These people travel all over the country, claiming they don’t have gas claiming they have sick kids. Somehow they have the money to drive cross country . It makes me so sick how people are all fooled by them. good video. Keep up the good work.

[@caseywindom9003]

I agree, and that's why I wanted to expose it. I don't think it's innocent or something to just ignore, as some people say. It's terrible and manipulative, esp. When they do bring their kids on the scene and get them involved. People can do whatever they would like with their money, including handing it over to folks like this but I think most people give money in good nature and just aren't aware of what it really going on. And yes, the guy in this video, I had the pleasure of watching him set up before the show and he has a lovely vehicle for cross country travel. The monetary support is benefitting him very well. Thank you for watching :)

[@zandig666]

Bros got pretty good calves for a homeless guy he must use milk jugs filled with water for calve raises

[@MarshalAllenBailey]

Get a radio controlled rat. They look real. Run it. under him while he 'performs'.

[@caseywindom9003]

That's actually hilarious 😂

[@tendy101100]

Would be epic to bring same set next to him the soeaker playing saxophone but you holding a flute 😂

[@caseywindom9003]

That would actually be hilarious 😆

[@dylansanterre9137]

😂

[@jeffpowell7749]

Unbelievable how some people think everyone else is stupid as they are

[@caseywindom9003]

Sadly, many people are and that's why they keep doing it

[@AmandaViolinGirl]

One of the easiest ways to know it is fake, is hearing vibrato on an open string.

[@user-lp8lu2mt5n]

To me I find it to be the same as theft. Plus how poor can someone be to afford all that equipment.

[@dathyr1]

If there are these guys in the parking that are playing any instrument with a musical background, before you even think about giving any money, walk up to them and tell them to play that same song without the background music. If they can, then great, they are legit musicians. If not, walk away and tell anyone else listening that this guy is a Fake Scammer and just wants your money - has no idea how to play a violin. Most non musician people don't pay that much attention to details of the player, they just hear the pretty music. It doesn't take much now days to fool an average parking lot shopper. Myself, I am a guitar and piano player and disgusted how people can get away with this. Interesting, you are right, he is not even moving his fret board hand on the Violin. LOL!!!!!!! I have seen several of this videos on you tube. Take care.

[@caseywindom9003]

Thank you for your comment :) Yes, see I agree with you. And, yes, as a musician it's frustrating as well because we notice the discrepancies and that it actually takes a lot of work to get to the level of playing in the recordings that he is "miming" or "violin syncing" too. For him to seek to take credit for somebody else's hard work and profit off of it is annoying to me. Yes, people are so easily fooled!

[@joeynuggetz]

Nice one. People are clueless. Even if you dont know how to play, you'd think most people would know something about physics or cause and effect. The guy looks like he's a lumberjack sawing down a tree with that shit bow arm of his :-)

[@caseywindom9003]

😂 I agree

[@rexoliver7780]

A human trying to imitate a “Viloino Virtusio” the was a coin played electric music player that came about the early part of the 20th century. It and other instruments were forerunners to jukeboxes, they would play from music rolls in the same manner as player pianos. Instead of vacuum the Violana was electric used electric motors instead of vacuum motors to turn the bow wheels and fingering. At least these instruments did a much better job of playing than these guys. There are folks that collect and restore automatic music players. They play REAL instruments not electronics.

[@rickyanthony]

It's absolutely true that these fakers are doing real harm to legit buskers and KZbin is promoting these fake videos so people will be very reluctant to engage with any street violinists soon. We need a name for that special faker bow hold lol. Thanks for the video. Genuine compliment: I love your voice.

[@caseywindom9003]

I agree with you completely. Thank you for watching and thank you for the kind compliment :)

[@pytube777]

At least he’s not shop lifting Walmart.

[@caseywindom9003]

Sure 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@deexiong8164]

Lol looks like he dines more then he plays lol

[@caseywindom9003]

Omg 😂

[@talentedman5000]

The government does the exact same thing with your tax money

[@caseywindom9003]

True that

[@TomMSTie1138]

I've seen another video of who I think might be the same scammer, and the first woman who tipped him looked like the same woman in the other video. I think that's his wife acting as a schill.

[@caseywindom9003]

Would not surprise me

[@BeachBum53]

My name Luigi from a Roma . I play beautiful music just for you.

[@dongies5834]

He don't need 4 strings on the instrument. He's only using 1, maybe 2 of them........

[@caseywindom9003]

Right 😅

[@MoosefromCanada]

Omg 🤣🤣 How to hacksaw Ava Maria 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣

[@caseywindom9003]

😆

[@JimRei954]

Yes, it’s long past time to ban all music in public spaces, this no good is making it next to impossible for honest beggars to find a productive space.

[@caseywindom9003]

Why do you think all music in public spaces should be banned though? As a musician who has played publicly before I've found that it brings people a lot of joy and that is why people do rush to donate to fakers like this guy, unknowingly, but even so I've seen the joy on their faces to hear music publicly. I don't agree that it should be banned, but what sucks is that people like this guy make it hard for anyone. I've seen honest musicians who panhandle as well and if they're talented and soulful I have no problem donating to them.

[@noahhylton9112]

Apparently there's an entire ring of people that do this scam. I'd offer them $20 to play "Mary had a little lamb" without a backing track. That'd be an easy way to expose them.

[@caseywindom9003]

Good idea 😆

[@dylansanterre9137]

We've had them in two towns in Connecticut... They weren't around long lol

[@caseywindom9003]

Lol

[@-berberry]

I saw them at the mall outside the Cheese Cake Factory. I fell for it..bums me out.

[@terrib7690]

You can clearly hear a piano when he is supposedly " playing" Ave Maria. As a musician it's offensive to pay someone who is pretending to be one .

[@caseywindom9003]

Exactly!

[@lukeskywalker709]

Keep up the good work Casey!

[@caseywindom9003]

Thank you! I will try!

[@WillyNailer-dj4nc]

Ya electric violins are completely different monsters than regular violin. The bow draw is one level. Normal violin the speed, weight, strength of the bow draw determines everything about the note. On electric violin the note just starts. They sound completely different and you could tell them apart as easy as guitars. Good way to tell no accenting or any style or feel in the bow hand. But you hear a beautiful drawn out vibrato note from a acoustic violin. Electric violin arent cheap either.

[@joekrim6557]

That bow moving like a lop sided teeter totter. Id take a close look at that bow. As sloppy as he is with it how there are no squacks and honks baffles me. Must be faux strings on bow

[@caseywindom9003]

The whole setup is "faux" 😁 they've gotten fancy with them too. I saw a lady outside of a store doing it last week and she was able to stop the violin by her taking her bow off of the strings but it was still evident she wasn't actually playing because a.) Not moving in time with the music b.) I found the cover from a different artist she used for her "playing" c.) It was just obvious, same need money for rent etc etc sign But I was intrigued as to how she was able to stop the violin "playing" by taking the bow off the strings. I guess "they" (meaning the scam setup dealer) had to get smart because people across the country were onto the scheme. Its definitely believable when the violin can stop playing on command. Perhaps that's the more expensive setup 🤷🏽‍♀️ she definitely was not playing though.

[@_Majoras]

say what you want about his bowing 🦶👣the footwork was 100% accurate to how real live violinists perform

[@caseywindom9003]

That's why he's got those calves of steel 🦵🏽

[@rosaspanjol673]

What’s more pathetic about these fake violinist players is all the people that give them money 🤣🤣

[@caseywindom9003]

Oh I know 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@kxmode]

Where do these people stay at as they travel from town to town? Vile Inns. Thank you! Not my best. 🤭

[@caseywindom9003]

😆 i think it was pretty good

[@DancingPenguin94]

It's always at Kroger too!😂 lol I've seen this about 3 times down here in North Texas and it's always been at a kroger lol

[@caseywindom9003]

That's hilarious. The scam itself is hilarious and pathetic all the same lol. At least you've picked up on it. Yeah they are pretty bold lol, I'm about to park my behind right next to them and start lip-syncing but with a sign that asks, "whose performance is more convincing?"

[@DancingPenguin94]

@@caseywindom9003 You'd become a legend for doing that! Lol

[@caseywindom9003]

@@DancingPenguin94 shoooot I just want the satisfaction of them being exposed in front of people and receiving nothing for their fakery and helping people to think twice vs being easily deceived! That would be worth it. So I may just do it lol 😆

[@DancingPenguin94]

@@caseywindom9003 I triple dog dare you to do it! Lol When you do it you could also try to bring like 5 speakers to drown out their music 😂 and then you'll get kicked off the property 2 minutes later for it being too loud! 🤣

[@caseywindom9003]

@@DancingPenguin94 I might just do it but perhaps one or two loud speaker and some obnoxious music 😆

[@spanishforjames]

Gypsy School of Art Alum.

[@caseywindom9003]

Lol

[@danielkeslerjr4407]

Lol, they all have working man, dad bods too. Not the build of a highly talented musician. Thats why all the guitar nerds in school are always pigeons chested noodle arms, u can spend time practicing, or working, not both and get this talented

[@caseywindom9003]

Oddly, yes, 8 out of 10 of the great string players I know are noodle-armed or otherwise lacking muscle definition. There are a couple muscular ones for every batch though, yes usually the ones that actually have a job :p

[@danielkeslerjr4407]

@caseywindom9003 exactly. There's always an exception, but 99% of talented guitarists are really noodle armed. Hell, look at all the greats, Jimmy page, hendrix, Vaughn, even metal bands, only the rhythm will have any definition. Look at hammets arms when Metallica were young.

[@caseywindom9003]

True 😁

[@melodiefrances3898]

His "technique" is terrible. You can tell immediately it's fake. He doesn't even hold the instrument remotely correctly. Look at his left arm and angle of the wrist. Plus he doesn't move up the fret for the higher notes. Not remotely convincing. Plus, where is the piano coming from 🤣

[@caseywindom9003]

Exactly lol 😆

[@djstarman69]

here in texas too ,,its all over i bet if they can cross over to mexico they would too,lol,he can;t even fake the eaither on fixxing the dam speaker ......

[@caseywindom9003]

Lol... i know like really, pretending the speaker is broken? 😆

[@djstarman69]

lol,,thanks for the reply have a great night @@caseywindom9003

[@kensmith2796]

Even if people are legit playing at the parks I find it annoying. I go to the park for peace and quiet, not to hear your poor attempt at guitar playing.

[@budsurtees4224]

Ok, so he's resorting to trickery to make some money. If he's dependent on "tips" he's not making too much. It could be worse - he could be robbing convenience stores or dealing drugs.

[@caseywindom9003]

Sure

[@JenniferBlickhan-vd4tm]

Seen them at Hy-Vee in Quincy Illinois

[@dagodino]

They are Not Italian! The accent is Romanian Gypsy.

[@annomanatofu3628]

Clown show. Not an easy or fun job. I can't think of anything I'd rather not do.

[@moneybot646]

Dude is not from Italy 😂😂

[@caseywindom9003]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who can see that. Lol

[@iseenothing]

YA HEARD ME!!!!!

[@mercys1412]

I’m sorry but if you are that talented then go play gigs for legit earnings, not like a beggar, and that goes for all street performances. If you perform individually on the streets I consider it free entertainment and just a means to get your name out there and be known. If I’m interested, then I ask for a business card and if I’m interested in more of your talent, I’ll follow through with attending your shows or hiring you for an event. If you are a professional, then you either must have a business or be working for a business. Otherwise, you are a beggar and not looking to do things legit nor pay your taxes.

[@caseywindom9003]

I see where you are coming from. Personally, I enjoy street performances and I don't mind throwing them a tip because why not? Everybody likes money. It's a choice to enjoy it as free entertainment or to give them some money. You're not obligated to listen nor tip and they are not entitled to receive an audience or a tip because nobody asked them to perform, lol. I think either way is fine but it's all a matter of personal choice. I have done a couple street performances before for fun and i didn't have a tip bucket set out but people did still try to give me money. I appreciated the gesture and it was fun performing. That's what we as musicians do is perform. It would be a purposeless venture to perform only for one's self. This guy, however, I can't say for sure is a real musician, lol. I respect your view and opinion on the matter.

[@deexiong8164]

Lmao so funny

[@danielkeslerjr4407]

No one know it yet, but theyre actually the next gen of the Peruvian panflute bands, appeasing the great furry ones.. forever let the giant guinea pigs sleep.. 😂

[@madelenealvarez]

It’s always the same Songs😂😂

[@caseywindom9003]

Lol I know. By this point, Even if someone was playing Despacito for real on the streets I wouldn't want to hear it 😆

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

It's a fiddle ....

[@caseywindom9003]

Even better 😂

[@NOOBNOOB007]

😆

[@caseywindom9003]

😝

[@freddyfish835]

Yes it's scam. Does that mean it's wrong? 🤔 That's the question we should be asking ourselves. We don't know anything about this man's situation. Maybe he hasn't been able to get a job no one wants to hire him? Maybe he does this for 10 hours only to make 30 bucks and has children and wife to support? Or maybe he's a pos scammer and makes 300 a day doing this. We don't know so let's not assume.

[@caseywindom9003]

I appreciate your grace in this comment. However, what assumption are you insuating that I am making in this video? I titled the video as such because it is as such. It is someone using the copyrighted music of others and pretending they are the one performing the music for the sake of garnering money from unknowing others. I even followed up with him asking him questions about his "playing" and he continued the act even then. I posted on this video an artist name from which he used one of their covers. There is no assumption here. The fact is that it is a scam. Also, he had a very nice vehicle from which he pulled his expensive set-up, clearly a well fed and groomed guy, clearly very able bodied by his performance and his calves show much strength.. Were he in much need, I am sure many jobs would hire him. Scamming people as a part time gig? Doesn't garner compassion from me. Many people yes, have children and wife to support but in these cases, they are often in on the scam, the children it is unfortunate because they know no better. I don't think this is right and thats why I have posted it. People give their money in goodwill. If they knew they were being fooled would they give the same? Likely not. Some may, and okay that's them. Personally, I cannot support a lie no matter what the cause. I've seen many honest beggars and this is not one.

[@freddyfish835]

@@caseywindom9003 My comment wasn't aimed at you personally. I'm not insinuating that you're making any assumptions, nor do I have a problem with the way you titled the video. You don't need to try and convince me it's a scam. Everyone knows it's a scam. I'm talking about the morality of it. The one sentence that stood out the most in your comment is this one: "Personally, I cannot support a lie no matter what the cause." This is where our view points differ.

[@caseywindom9003]

I understand and respect your differing viewpoint. I suppose we all lie in some little ways, a lie may be needed in a drastic situation or in the case of a beggar needing to do such to provide for their family. However, this guy does not seem much in need, most evident by his very nice vehicle and expensive setup.

[@truthdefenders-]

Another Italian? 😆

[@caseywindom9003]

I feel fairly confident that he is not Italian, lol

[@justin_Sa]

This guy is so off

[@caseywindom9003]

Just a little

[@armandvanderspil4905]

Thid is not hard to pay by yhe way

[@caseywindom9003]

Def not if somebody else is playing it for you

[@biggussdickuss6123]

Ive seen this in florida Deland area the music was so loud i walked by thinking damn electric violins are tight yo but by the time i got to the entrance it sounded very fake

[@shadowx2447]

If they said they need money for rent or help their mom….how the hell do they get money to paid to learn violin….doesn’t make sense….immigrants is worst than a clown playing tricks!

[@caseywindom9003]

I could reason perhaps they could be self taught, if they were actually playing (which they're not) lol, but it's the expensive set up that gets me.

[@Your.favorite_N_Word]

Why is Ama de Maria their favorite song it’s a violin to? Lmfao

[@caseywindom9003]

Lol