Performers pretend to play violin to make easy tip money

[@Jason-wc3fh]

I like how the scammers get to have the luxury of having their faces blurred when they're openly out in public areas doing this. I can never understand the constant censoring and protection of the bad apples.

[@JesusOrtiz-qp1so]

When you start questioning them all the sudden they don’t know English

[@vicO1323]

If you ask them to play a simple song and they pretend not to understand, it's a scam.

[@kishascape]

If they're using an ELECTRIC violin it's a scam.

[@blak3brutus229]

⁠@@kishascapeno not true I did in high school ass hole and my ass looked like I was 31 literally wasn’t id’d in high school once for alcohol ever. Just tell them to play Mary had a little lamb, I can play devil went down to Georgia too but I actually know the notes lmao.

[@blak3brutus229]

@@kishascapeyou’re just retarded. Stop thinking.

[@Model1985]

And in the same sentence, tell you that they don't speak English IN ENGLISH when you call em out 😂

[@Model1985]

And in the same sentence, tell you that they don't speak English IN ENGLISH when you call em out 😂

[@robschannel4512]

I'm going to pretend to be a heavy metal guitarist. You don't need to pay me. The fantasy is enough.

[@stitchbiatch3715]

if you keep at it you can become the greatest air guitarist of all time!

[@Model1985]

Hey, if some rappers can petend to rap (lip syncing) then why shouldn't these fake violinist have a chance 😂

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

There's room for someone to come out and do a mean air guitar to "Baba O'Riley", with an associate to 'play' the Dave Arbus part while the scammer looks on.

[@tommyvizzle]

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

[@Ahmadeeee]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@gonelucid]

😂😂🎉

[@kendrasinterlude]

Violin on violin crime 😂😂

[@Tony-fb1gd]

😂😂😂

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

The signs are all identical in almost every aspect. It’s like they all used AI. 🤣😂

[@Minibike817]

I always support anyone asking for a buck. WITH PROP MONEY😂

[@ezzar8165]

Haha good one! Fake performance rightfully earns fake money.

[@oddguitaristt7473]

They’re playing people like a damn fiddle

[@goodgravy3047]

Good one! 😂

[@goodgravy3047]

And stringing them along...

[@luisvillarreal5262]

From phone scams to violin scams. Wow, they got a lot of time on their hands to think up ways to scam.

[@gonelucid]

What's even funnier is the folks who are upset about someone pretending to play a violin.

[@EdWard-ie5wn]

​@gonelucid it's obnoxious and annoying.

[@TheFriendlyPsychopath]

I've seen this in so many places, it's an insult to real musicians!

[@gonelucid]

If you think that's bad.. how about full on concerts of lipsyncing and just playing the wav files or even mp3 😂😂 people spends hundreds of dollars per ticket

[@thomas1910]

I always think, if they can’t be honest about their skills and have to lie why should we trust their story and trust them with our money?

[@TheBushdoctor68]

Every single artist lip-syncs their songs on tv. You're a hypocrite.

[@JamesRonstadt]

Perfect instrument for this sad story 🎻

[@wolfmonster7454]

Ooh boohoo let me play a sad song on the world's smallest violin 🎻

[@wolfmonster7454]

I know, this really is the world's smallest violin 🎻 *shows you violin*. See?

[@DakotaFord592]

true

[@xavierb5120]

Violinists going full Milli Vanilli

[@MyDoodad]

my wife has a doctorate in violin performance, has been playing for 20 years, we see them all the time and she instantly knows

[@Arlingtonsjw]

Isn't that illegal because it's private property?

[@mariebussinger6565]

@@Arlingtonsjw yes

[@adriankettler695]

For real that reporter went after them fake punks. That’s great , and it’s fuqin hilarious. Give her a raise 🎉🎉🎉

[@scottaproductions7197]

This team travels as a duo. There is a video made of the same couple on the same day, but it’s the man playing.

[@vnclejed1971]

Bro they’re literally all over the country, huge groups from LA, Seattle, Portland, just saw a family member see them in Michigan lol

[@rosannasmom1]

Casselberry, Florida too

[@ratherbeonthemoon]

Roma's....Europeans, just FYI before people start calling them Mexicans 😂. I saw somebody earlier say they were Hispanics LMAO

[@homedeezyfasheezy5662]

@@ratherbeonthemoon yeah I’ve heard them referred to as Romanian Gypsies. There are several of them in the Austin area. There’s this one lady I see all of the city begging for money. She usually has an infant with her and sometimes she has 2 middle school aged boys with her as well.

[@ratherbeonthemoon]

@@homedeezyfasheezy5662 I actually know exactly who you're talking about...holy shit that's funny. I saw them last month on 35 and 6th

[@dftgjgerhiii3733]

Go! To one of the store that you are standing in front of. Apply for a JOB!

[@bricepaul80]

They don't need jobs... trust me...they got money....side action for them... probably own 3 convenient stores

[@Coryiodine]

I can actually play instruments. But ive always been too embarrassed to stand out on a corner and perform. Yet these people seem to have supreme confidence while not only not being able to play but while ripping people off lol strange.

[@CA-tk8yn]

I love what they're doing. They let those who want to give, give. They don't have a gun and no ones is claiming it's their original music. Musicians play others music all the time. Big deal. If you thought they were real violinist's then you are clearly not seeing well. He doesn't even move the bow to the tune being played. I think he needs $2. He ain't hurting anyone who doesn't want to give. Would you be upset if they did art like drawings? What if they have no talent, can they at least act? That's all they're doing.

[@AndrewLarson-mq7xc]

Anybody can act just look at Hollywood😂

[@usa4x4trucks]

I don’t hand out any cash to anyone. I’ll donate to reputable organizations like our local rescue mission and Salvation Army…but never street “performers”

[@chad5893]

Well if Sapphire ever wants to get into stripping, shes already got her name locked down.

[@florida5451]

I already work over 50 hours a week and I did not know they will allow you to play publicly like this without harassing you. I took private classes all through my childhood and the reason I quit playing was my music tutor asked me to play an original piece at family night the following week. This was in the 90s before internet so I tracked down all the music changed the notes and rewrote it so I could use it and did Metallica's enter sandman on violin in front of the class and parents. Even though I got a standing ovation and bows she chastised me in front of the parents and other students so I quit after that. I have played a few times since but showing a couple people chords and because a friend had a violin and said I couldn't play thought I was joking. About to get my Old violin out of the closet and start going playing in public not for money because I enjoy it. It is a Guarneri and even after hardships in my life I would never think of getting rid of it because it was a gift from my grandfather when I was a child. He brought it over from Europe when he was there on business. Need to get it restringed and tuned but I am excited! I am going to do this. Again not for money just to bring others to Joy of music. A smile is the only payment I need!

[@barrysmith8920]

Please continue to play! People will love that you are REALLY playing. Especially if it’s acoustic and without those annoying backing tracks scammers use. I was acoustic violin busking last winter 🥶 in Flagstaff Arizona January-March. The money I earned was very good, the people very kind and appreciative. Many were very surprised that I was actually playing! I had no idea why until watching these scammer videos on YT..🤪

[@Dan-xx5jq]

These are Roma scammers. They should not have been allowed into this country!

[@Jason-wc3fh]

You had my instant respect when I got to the part where you said you played Enter Sandman on a violin. That is badass!

[@marshallohio5512]

Same old Story here in Standish Maine!! First time father and son and second time just an adult male !!! They just smile when I ask in playing without backing track !! I was bored, so I hung around in telling anyone ready to hand out money that this is a scam in a polite way ! I actually was handed $5 for informing the scam !! Ice cream 🍨 money !!

[@gonelucid]

You should go tell your mommy about all the concerts that lipsync. Maybe she will give you another ice cream.

[@Sutterjack]

Not as bad in my book as the "funeral expenses" scam, but all bottom feeders. There was one of these at my local Safeway and I sat there watching them while critiquing with another lady (who was a musician) - we both noted it wasn't real playing. No donation from me - I donate to my starving artist friends who are legit players

[@doloresbecker756]

They all play backing tracks with the same typical contemporary tunes, such as the "Hallelujah Song", Elton John's "Sacrifice" and Aladdin's "A Whole New World" etc. Does anyone know where they come from? Are they Romany Gypsy from East Europe or another culture from somewhere else?

[@megankreps2650]

That’s the same lady that I saw this morning at Sherwood Safeway with the orange shirt she’s a scammer

[@Stateless7]

So many shameless people looking for handouts

[@florida5451]

Right give me that gimmick LOL

[@TheLoneCamper]

It's a "performance"...like a concert promoter's legal department would say.

[@Hartflame]

Yeah, I fell for it. I gave them $20 but I loved the song Ava Maria but he was supposedly playing.

[@hmsmedia2005]

Bottom line… DONT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY!! That’s it!!

[@WinkDaMan07]

There was a guy outside my job doing this 2 days straight!! Although the one I saw has me confused!!! Because anytime he’d stop playing, the violin stops but the background music still plays!!! So I’m thinking maybe it’s a multitrack recording where he has an accomplice mute the violin track when he stops?!?!?!? Whatever he did, he made it look very convincing!!!

[@Jason-wc3fh]

He's likely a legit player. Several guitarists do this also. They don't hide the fact they're playing along to a track without the instrument they're adding in.

[@masterofnone1481]

So if it’s electric it’s probably fake 👌

[@lisa9867]

I've seen them in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I don't bother them but I also don't give them any of my money.

[@michaelstutzman5728]

I work for a company in Dunlap, Indiana and I would hear violin performers. Do this crap in a parking lot sometime in my parking lot too and my boss don’t care so whoever posted this thank you for posting it.

[@AFatalPapercut]

I swear this same exact couple were doing this in Virginia Beach a couple of years ago as well.

[@S20-g7w]

They're outside the TJMaxx by Food Lion to this day

[@FlashCadallic]

Who knew there were all these world class violin players in parking lots?

[@ixlr8395]

People are SO GULLIBLE if they really believe the scammers are actually playing those instruments. There are a few that hang around our local Kroger and they get really mad if you get close to them.🤣 Wonder why????😆😆😆

[@StoicLion]

Oh, that sad music near the end was perfect.

[@m.scottreeder]

You let them in, America. Now live with it.

[@lanabyk8012]

Life is a stage...and you have to adapt and be quick and be able to switch roles...

[@Emcee58]

Saw this in a Concord, NH parking lot last week... Noticed immediately that the guy was "synching" to the music, but so did everybody! I didn't see anybody give him $$$$ for it while I was there...

[@GamerNate30]

Saw this in Idaho and again when I moved to California

[@nickevershedmusic8927]

Omg the real violinist is gorgeous ❤️

[@unclepecos845]

Here's a tip........don't tip nobody just because they're playing music. They can go get a job like the rest of us. I tip for nothing.

[@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupid]

Can’t stand the people who feel the need to expose them. They are so extremely annoying that I could care less about the fake violinists

[@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupid]

@lordfudd9649 they did. Not that I’m taking up for those fake violinist, but the people who go out of their way to expose them are whiny and petulant and yes, it is annoying.

[@boisebadboy93]

A few years ago in Meridian Idaho, in the local Walmart parking lot, there were two young overweight male twins that would sit down in the grass by the busiest exit and wouldn't even hold their signs up. They would prop them on the stop sign pole and sit down all day. They did this for at least two summers. One time I saw them taking turns "playing" a violin like this and I just laughed. I once saw one of them pull out of a nice neighborhood on a motorcycle 😂 Haven't seen them for years now

[@GamerNate30]

Saw it in Idaho too when I lived there. Just moved to California and saw it again

[@DizzieDaCrazzie88]

that violin player was hot af! 🔥

[@2112jp]

I place it in the same category as air guitarist

[@frankmafia1420]

You can always lean to air guitar 🎸 then people can’t get mad when they give you money 😂

[@lilolme69]

Have music blasting and playing the air guitar like a PRO!!! Every now and then break in to the drums and back to the guitar! I bet that would get more money than a violin

[@tiffanykahn2535]

Psst! 🤫🤐😮😢 ....dont give them any ideas! They might as well do them....

[@lilolme69]

@@tiffanykahn2535 Hell, I'm thinking about doing it!

[@ryuhoshi695]

Bruh that's the same girl in the yellow shirt who was with a guy who was scamming lol...She was acting like a bystander lol

[@westonh4900]

These unscrupulous solicitors sure are choosing strange locations... A target parking lot?

[@Johnadams20760]

omfg, the guy at 1.22 he is not even remotely holding his bow right. you hold it at the tip, not in the middle of the bow. lmfao

[@customk9254]

Oh what's that... the world's smallest violin.

[@roberttemple2521]

I confronted a similar pair yesterday at one of our local supermarket's entrance/exits in Brunswick, Maine. I asked the male violinist, about in his 50s, to play me a piece without the accompaniment [wherein the "violin" parts are found]. He pretended not to understand English and fumbled with the violin's cord at the amp end. Same violin as seen here, btw. Then, a 50ish overweight, swarthy woman appeared. She didn't take kindly to me exposing their scam. She spoke to me in Romanian or whatever Gypsy tongue they use, flipped me the bird and gave me a mock "moon". I circled around and came up behind them with my phone camera trained on them. The woman came at me and made a hissing sound as she made a mock swipe at me, slashing the air. I told them that's what the cops need to see. I also observed her scoping out the insides of parked cars there. These folks Always work in groups. They were gone when I returned an hour or so later. A couple or so years ago, I fell for their scam, right at the same spot. It was a different guy who "played" beautifully. He seemed to have the right fingerings on the strings [as if I knew, I play piano and harmonicas, jazz/blues], and he had the standard bowing, or so I thought, and a nice smile. He also had a big sign with words on it like "honest", and "god" and "thank you". He had a couple of young teen girls with him, swarthy with dark, unsmiling eyes, the dead eyes look, suspicious, so common with this clan. Still, I tipped the guy five dollars, I think, and left. So, after yesterday's event, I went home to quickly learn a few choice phrases in Romanian. As mentioned earlier, they were gone. I so wanted to say to the woman, "Isti un porc!!!". Next time, if there is another scam "violinist" here, I'm going to open with Portugues. Knowing that won't be understood by them, I will then speak in English with a fake Brasilian accent. And I will smilingly ask them to play me a tune, unaccompanied. Or, maybe I'll take a harmonica and play some simple tune like Three Blind Mice and ask them to repeat it, knowing full well they can't. And then I will make sure they know what scum they are. They put the "tune" in opportunists. This is where a bunch of vile stink bomb vials could come in handy. Or, if someone wanted to place a bill in their coffer, first tape the bill to a magician's reel. It is a spring-loaded prop with a monofilament string. As one walks away, smiling, the donor releases the brake on the quarter-sized, handheld prop. ZIP!!! The bill magically returns to the donor's hand in an instant. It's a very inexpensive prop, perfect for conning back these cons.

[@Tsugimoto1]

They're not just in Florida. They're everywhere. Got some up North. And in small towns even!

[@florentin1888]

This needs to be considered a crime.its stealing from other people by pretending to play violin.

[@anicatt]

Loitering

[@vector8310]

They all have a "pimp" waiting in a car nearby who'll conveniently pop up to defuse or frustrate a confrontation.

[@texazmade713]

Lmao @ the sad violen music at the end

[@the_izB]

I'd donate for the fact they are doing something to entertain me.

[@TheBushdoctor68]

Why does it matter? People get entertained, don't they. One day you lot are going to get mad because you found out that magicians aren't actually doing magic.

[@Cam-wi3tp]

there are a lot of actors who can't act yet they still make millions and are in so many movies

[@ooochakalaka]

I once asked this scammer to play mary had a little lamb...and he couldn't. Told me to F off.

[@JackStone-g9v]

I like how they all say they are from Italy…..lol. They are obviously gypsies from Eastern Europe.

[@MuhammadIlyas-i8w]

THEY ARE NOT PLAYING INSTRUMENTS, actually THEY ARE PLAYING WITH YOUR MONEY IN YOUR POCKET !!!

[@Brogus_D]

That sad walk away music 😂🥶

[@echoplex2908]

The violin girl said "not making me feel special"....ohhkay.

[@lifetravel2024]

Im never gives money to anyone on the street despite what will be doing.

[@rbfarrell1]

Thank you for showing this hopefully many people will see this. Please don't give money to these roaches.

[@djstarman69]

They are here in texas too ,same melodies, dont fall for this people

[@rosaspanjol673]

Just ignore them!… and most important….do not give them money!

[@megankreps2650]

If you see a women in Sherwood playing the violin please don’t give her any money

[@Dan-xx5jq]

These are Roma people! They are scammers. They should never been allowed into the US. So sad, we have open borders!

[@martaparsons5633]

My choice, not yours.

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

Yes, they’re scamming. But why would one approach them and initiate a conflict? THE goal is to keep such people away from you and yours. Just stay away from them.

[@thecontinental8978]

It is organized crime and the stores should trespass them from the property.

[@ratherbeonthemoon]

If they would dance a little bit then it wouldn't be a scam, it would just be a skit. Just make it comical and you can fake playing an instrument all you want.

[@gonelucid]

Big artists do it all the time and they get paid like crazy for their tickets. Hypocrisy. 😂

[@christopherbass8781]

This is happening in my Spokane. It makes me angry. I don't like frauds. These people are able to get jobs.

[@TeslaMan69]

There are so many jobs for real violinists or other string players. It would be strange to see them begging for money if they can play very well.

[@Macjeeh]

Instrument lipsinc 😂 Theres alot of those downtown Seattle

[@erikas7219]

They are all over NJ too. I just looked up violin scammers to see if what I was seeing was a scam

[@pamelapope859]

What you do is have them turn off the speaker and then play, if they don't you know they're fake. There are too many scammers out there just waiting to get your money, so be careful.

[@Lisa-vq3ow]

these scammers are in NY too.

[@eximusic]

You've blown the lid off parking lot bow-syncing. Now what?

[@rsz90182]

This is a big problem for the legit players who will get ignored now! Put them in jail!

[@gonelucid]

😂😂

[@richj6596]

Just don’t give anyone any money ever. It’s easy

[@scwaty180]

We had two people doing this a couple months ago next to the McDonald's in Mt View Missouri.

[@vgardner1688]

They like to use kids for this scam also

[@homedeezyfasheezy5662]

There’s this one lady in my city that you’ll see all over the place an infant with her, even in 100+ degree weather. She even had 2 middle school aged boys with her and was posted up literally 15 feet away from a middle school while classes where going on.

[@KlaviersAnthology]

Instead of mocking scammers, next time you see a professional musician playing on the street and not in a fancy saloon or a restaurant, make sure to leave a good amount of money and not just pass him like he was a random ant that lost its nest! Or better yet find him a job!

[@trebleclef9844]

they deserve to be mocked, its the punishment for stealing money and lying to people

[@davidwhocares3293]

These Goons are all over Nor Cal too .....

[@georgelancaster6701]

Stop feeding these scammers

[@megankreps2650]

There is a women in Sherwood oregon that is doing this and she got into a shouting match with a business owner

[@3rddayproductions723]

Damn gonna get me a Violin now Sheesh why didn’t I think of that all my life!

[@martaparsons5633]

I enjoy the music and I will give them money if I want to. I do not give money to the big charities because the money goes to expenses, not the people who suffered through the flood tornado ect. My money, my choice.😊

[@Bandboxxer-v3n]

People can pretend to give them money. Even deal.

[@opiumdensRus]

Its actually pretty good idea. Better than bugging me for change with words.

[@gonelucid]

Facts. Way more pleasant. Plus the folks upset probably go and spend hundreds on a ticket to a Rock band or rapper that lipsyncs 💋

[@650nelson]

How much can I make with one of them toy gitars with the little crank on the bottom end? Enough to pay off that bank loan?

[@billypeek7186]

They are just acting for your entertainment, pretending to play. Better then just standing on the corner with a sign.

[@halotubb1110]

Same in my area, fake accordions and violinist

[@Boeman683]

I would rather see them playing a violin rather out selling drugs and guns on a street corner.

[@blackberrylady9265]

🙀🙀🙀🙀and I gave 1 money...oh nooooooooo 👈🏾👈🏾👈🏾

[@gertebert]

The sad thing about all these fake violin players is that they have a boss who is forcing them to do this and take all their money. They're literally slaves. In the big tourist cities in Europe they are everywhere. It is a tragedy.

[@gonelucid]

That's interesting. Not all of them are like that. Actually in the usa it's far less likely to be like that.

[@gertebert]

@@gonelucid Why do you think that not all of them are like that? You think that there is no slavery happening in the USA?

[@EIEIO47]

We had also here in Montreal!

[@yettimannettii2039]

Ppeople will even give money to people who are just standing there doing nothing. Don't need musical instruments or signs.

[@aicarpool]

Sapphire Gibson. She’s a adult entertainment actress, no?