This Violin Scam is GENIUS!

[@estan247]

Have you seen this violin scam in your area? Let me know. Watch Part 2 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/en-rZqp4jMxka9E

[@ScottAnd]

I have one on video from today 4/9. It was in a supermarket parking lot near my house. I fell for it. If you want the video I'll send it to you

[@breeanndefoe8010]

Cloquet Mn there's a dude doing this at our local supermarket

[@tomorrow2964]

Here in Spanish fork Utah.

[@scottmoore9107]

Just saw it today in Deland Florida in the parking lot at Publix LOL

[@TheBraxton08]

Yep, all the time and I see it primary in Black communities especially the one where there drive around asking for "gas" money like $200 saying they're trying to get back to California.

[@DV87777]

The fact they have those expensive setups should be red flag enough. They aren't hurting.

[@Xiaotian88]

In my country, people usually play the wooden violin on the streets without any speakers, so I think there's much less chance of frauds. I'd honestly be sceptical of anyone using an electric violin and a speaker.

[@definitelynottigerwhitten5865]

sometimes you can't project your sound enough (traffic, bad acoustics, screaming homeless people) so a small amp helps. I'm skeptical when I see a fake fuckin musician stealing $ from real ones, too bad most people aren't musicians and can't tell.

[@dannymakaveli3]

bro your cappin

[@adde65]

As someone who made a living as a street musician for a decade + this pisses me off big time. There are so many truly talented musicians out there who are the real deal and deserve to be heard. I get that some of these fakes might actually be struggling, but I'd rather give my cash to someone who is genuine.

[@NDnf84]

They're not struggling, they're mainly gypsies sending money up the chain.

[@djfearross4144]

Romanians. They claimed Asylum in the USA as apparently all 27 countries in the EU apparently discriminate against them. And now you know why....

[@ericvando]

A real performer will stand in a place where there is room for people to gather around. These guys stand in odd locations and places traffic between them and watchers so you can't get close to see the flaws in their strokes and fingering. People would have to dodge traffic to give them donations and then find a safe spot to stand.

[@davidlindsaytroffer2801]

This is why they "play" in parking lots. The police can't do anything unless the property owner / lease holder complains. If they were blocking a public sidewalk or interrupting traffic the police could cite them or give them a warning.

[@deeterdeeter1622]

I'm a true busker and I also work the areas they work. They are so irritating. People think they are giving a flawless performance.

[@deeterdeeter1622]

@@davidlindsaytroffer2801 parking lots are where the people are.

[@Beckett379]

This is bullshit, I played my air guitar in front of Walmart for two hours and didn’t get anything! :(

[@alison5009]

🤣🤣🤣

[@LateBoomer1964]

How is it that soooo many violinists with speakers and expensive equipment set ups, have become homeless at the same time. There will always be homeless and people down on their luck, but if you see multiple people popping up with the same "homless gig" then think twice about giving your hard earned money.

[@estan247]

You are so right! There's nothing wrong with asking others for help but purposefully deceiving people with fake violin playing is so wrong.

[@amazoniam3695]

You just made another excellent point: not only is this hurting real musicians who bust their behinds, but this is hurting legit people who honestly fell on hard times, by reinforcing the stereotype that all who are down on their luck, homeless, etc. are not remotely trustworthy.

[@113dmg9]

I just experienced one of these violin players at a second location. You see, I only heard playing in one shopping center, and I was really impressed. I was at that same shopping center again and the same person was playing... and he was really, really really good. HOWEVER, just tonight, I'm in another town, and a guy's playing the violin which sounds EXACTLY like the music from that other shopping center. And as I was listening, it sounded like more than one instrument, which was kind of strange, so I decided to KZbin it, and came up with this clip. Thank you for this informative video.

[@estan247]

Yo I'm not sure how they are coordinating this massive scam all over the country. It looks like they pick affluent locations locations and rotate around to make it appear as if a new violinists is randomly busking is in town. They play like the same 50 songs in rotation.

[@amazoniam3695]

Spread the word! Simple test: ask them to play something simple with *no* backing track... "Twinkle Twinkle" or "Happy Birthday"?. Heck, ask them play a G major scale. They can't.

[@akidim13]

@@estan247 gypsies

[@Acemans]

Man it kinda makes me sad how people encourage this, it's such a difficult instrument to learn.

[@marshaprentice]

I admire your integrity. Your genuine personality comes through. ♥️

[@Jessalyn032]

Thank you for bringing this to light. I am a violinist… playing for 35yrs. Its so frustrating to see this…

[@dsouther11]

I've been playing for almost a year now and these scammers are 100% obvious and a disgrace.

[@mariannesilva6811]

I am not a violinist but even I can figure out if they were playing the violin just by watching you and Daniel play

[@jidde8473]

I probably would say something like "its my birthday, play a happy birthday song for me for $20"

[@taritaserramo7797]

Around me there are lots of Gypsy beggars, so I thought wow they are playing real music, but it sounded too prefect ! Thanks for opening our eyes to this !

[@kentaccordionist]

There are people who do the same scam with accordions. I’ve be a pro accordionist for 37 years and it really winds me up when people swindle money by pretending to play when they are not able to even play the easiest scales.

[@sarahcarrizales9759]

I know the two men in Mexico that came into a restaurant I was at were the real deal, one singing and one playing the accordion. I think I wouldn't trust anyone with a speaker as being the real deal.

[@kentaccordionist]

@@sarahcarrizales9759 I have to use an amplifier with my Roland Accordion, 1 because the internal speakers do not do the sound justice, and 2 because if I didn’t no one would hear me above the sound of my band mates bagpipes. If the music carries on when someone’s hands are no longer on the instrument or the movement of their hands playing the instrument is not in time with the music, it’s a sure fire way of knowing they are faking. It’s insulting to those of us who spent years learning to play our instruments.

[@sarahcarrizales9759]

@@kentaccordionist I see now, I need to pay attention to the technique and not the speakers. I wouldn't want to mistake an honest person when speakers are actually necessary, it's just sad that others use it as a way to fake it. Most of these scammers look the same too, this is so weird, but I guess they realize most people haven't caught on yet so keep making money.

[@kentaccordionist]

@@sarahcarrizales9759 also you could ask them to play a particular tune. Something they should be able to play, if they are fake they will find any excuse they can to not play it.

[@angelthzdz656]

Just saw a man yesterday in the mall parking lot of my small town. I glad I didn't have the opportunity to stop

[@ccthree329]

Notice ya never see anyone out there faking a stand up bass, must be too heavy to take from corner to corner

[@paulalupina818]

I've have seen this is a couple of party lots in the Las Vegas valley which is a shame because we do have a lot ACTUAL artists here. You are correct as soon as someone calls them out, they stop, and move on.

[@alainab79]

I came across a fake violinist while shopping today. I watched him carefully to be sure and there was so much wrong with his 'playing'. Tons of people were giving him money which infuriated me. I called the police on him.

[@amazoniam3695]

good on you! If he's legit in need of assistance, the officers will be able to direct him to it.

[@JenniferF2882]

Saw a girl at the local grocery store (Publix) she had a HUGE crowd gathered. I stood by watching her and she had big, exaggerated movements of her arms to distract that she wasn't doing vibrato on the fingerboard, her bow movements were off, she didn't move her finger location enough, etc. When I finally had enough, I pulled out a 100$ bill and went to drop it in her bucket. She was so shocked/distracted thinking she had gotten a good lick that she missed a stroke in the recording and I called her out on it. The crowd immediately disbursed angry and she was mad at me. I left laughing as I tucked the 100$ bill back in my wallet.

[@MitchellTeeRapz]

I’ve seen people do this at so many places I’ve known it was fake all along!

[@plantinghope5193]

Same here but apparently there are enough dummies out there still supporting this scam.

[@moonamigi]

hold up...now I'm trying to remember if I was tricked into giving money to a fake violinist!

[@travisbenedict7471]

I've never played violin personally, but play guitar and watched my dad play violin growing up and it was PAINFULLY obvious.

[@backintheday3097]

I literally just called a guy out at our local grocery store today for trying to pull this violin scam. Like you, I play guitar as well, so I was able to spot a lot of inconsistencies in his playing. The first red flag was none of the high notes that were being heard marched the position of his hand on the fret board. The only thing I had trouble figuring out was how he made the music after he unplugged the cord. He wasn't using a regular electric violin. It was a wooden violin with what could only be compared to a pickup attached to it. I noticed that every few minutes he'd pull his phone out and mess with it before playing again. I figured he was loaded up the next "song" he was going to play. His stuff didn't have any backing tracks, but he still had the sign about having 4 kids and couldn't pay his rent or buy food.

[@kitchenlab9578]

Target should hire me to play violin in a Walmart parking lot. I have been playing for three years and I would clear out traffic in 60 seconds lol. People would drive up and be like "hell no" and get back in their cars and drive away lol.

[@litcandleMalo]

I hate cringing at these but they deserve to be expose.

[@intothevoid47]

@2:00 I've dedicated years to practicing MY craff, this is insulting.

[@rdjones97439]

None of these people own those instruments or speakers they probably meet at a warehouse and pick up this stuff and meet back and get paid ...it all looks too similar to be one-off scam artists. Like redoing your driveway with paint an getting paid for an asphalt job

[@jjf609]

Thanks for this info. It's wrong to scam people and an insult to real musicians. I wanna see you play. Time to subscribe and look at your playlist.

[@elizabethminkpra6601]

Yes, I felt for one of this scammers in my city.

[@alerum3473]

Sickening...that one dudes absolutely right, those fools are infacr insulting anyone who dedicated time to learn and actually play the instruments 🤬

[@trimecm1611]

Scammers get called out and move on to the next scam there’s no end

[@hardcoregaming7467]

Hahaha imagine a real violinist make his own stall across and starts playing

[@donaldglenncoe1970]

does a real violinist need an amplification system?

[@ThisIsNotAnExit86]

Theres a woman who I saw on Cape Cod who was absolutely INCREDIBLE and she used a little amp so it made it sound so much better and it was awesome. So it can help with real violinists

[@edselsugay5342]

I agree, especially with your comments about the first video. ‘Can’t blame the kid. Hold mom accountable. ‘Hustle the kid. Is that like a form of pimping or trafficking? Thanks for the objective, and very composed assessment of these apparent scams. I’ll be honest-the first video I saw a kid pretending to play “In Da Club,” I was fooled. I thought it was cool. ‘Til it wasn’t.

[@chavab8753]

thank you! Look forward to hearing the host play!!

[@Blufnk]

Wow...glad I searched this out....what made me curious? Yesterday while shopping I saw and heard a brother playing a popular Ed Sheeran song and today at another Market I hear the same song however a different guy....and wondered....could this be scam??? I am truly shocked....they are using the same sound track...same order of songs.....smh

[@johnmayer4178]

Yeah, I've seen a couple of similar performers at a shopping mall near my house. The first time the performer was with a young boy with a sign that said he was trying to provide for his family during the period of high unemployment caused by Covid. He, or someone like him, was back just before Christmas. I'm embarrassed to admit I gave a few bucks each time, but I DID wonder a bit about the orchestral accompaniment. I mean, that MIGHT have been legit, a sort of karaoke for instrument. But it made me a tiny bit suspicious. With the last example you've given us I can hear a guitar playing with the violin, if I'm not mistaken, with no guitarist in sight. It was cold both times, and I'd imagine the performer's fingers must have been numb with cold--or made clumsy by gloves--but I never heard him hit a clinker.

[@dreamingoffall7694]

There’s an entire group of homeless people here that fake play the violin and guitar to scam people. It’s sad.

[@philipmontanti7344]

I just chased a kid from the parking lot today and called the police.

[@estan247]

Thanks for Watching! Have you seen this violin scam in your area? Let me know 👇

[@williamharden]

Hi Eric, Yes, I live near Milan in Italy and in the streets of the city center and at the metro stops there are many violinists who pretend to play. I discovered them just by being careful and I am very sorry for those who really play the violin, unfortunately many people are not careful and believe these cheaters.

[@aramislautaru7805]

I’m a musician too, it’s not hard to see if someone is really play or not but the last violinist he’s really playing for sure look at his bow and his fingers positions if you’re a musician you should know and not putting all in the same cave, be accurate in your videos 👍

[@TheWonderwoman420]

I'm in Miami and have seen it. Guy plays near Target or Publix and has a sign asking to help his kids. Sometimes has them with him. Sign has a Venmo account on it!

[@JackRainfield]

Nice commentary! Yes we have them in Enfield, Connecticut now. Seems like they might all have the same sound system so I'm thinking they are part of a group similar to the old Irish travelers. I wonder where they come from.

[@randyirby7968]

Yes. The last guy looks just like a guy in front of Sprouts in Queen Creek Arizona today. In fact one of the songs he faked on this video, he faked here at Sprouts. The sign is the same except he has four kids now. Btw, who ever the real artist is is brilliant.

[@ashleylove6840]

They are stealing other peoples work and selling it as their own, they are criminals bruh

[@emilydee14]

Omg there is a guy that's hangs out my grocery store and plays the same exact songs as these scammers and I caught him quit playing and the music kept on playing as I was walking towards my car

[@cece_unity]

Lmbooo wooow they’re really out her fake playing the violin 😭😭 anything for money

[@Kickstart500]

I’d offer a hundred dollar bill for request.. then ask for fire on the mountain or Bonapartes retreat.. also if I was in need of just make a sign and panhandle honestly.

[@janetspiritofthelivinggod6328]

I had no idea! I guess I need to find me a corner and an amp and get my violin out there and make some money. I think the public would probably enjoy these scammers professional recordings better than my solo playing though! Thanks for letting us know and for being such a nice guy. Keep up the good work and God bless you.

[@pinch857]

And the worst part is these people found a loop hole in the system. If a civilian calls the cops on em they won’t do anything because it’s private property. So unless the stores, or property manager, or owner of the lot calls to have them trespassed the cops can’t do anything.

[@joerc9254]

It's not cool to scam people period. It's stealing. I saw one of these scumbags playing the violin at a BIG Y parking lot this past weekend in CT. Same deal - help my Mom, she is suffering, etc, etc. I took a piece of paper and wrote down "Hey dude - it's not cool to scam people bro" then he realized I was on to him. The guy packed up and left.

[@johnw9190]

I pointed this out to some family in E-Town, KY. My family took the position of the woman in the green shirt. Even if it's fake, he's providing entertainment. I said he's providing fraud along with it. What I can't figure out is how they stop and start it to match the bow.

[@Gandoff2000]

Yup. One way to know some of these are fake is to let google search identify the song. Google search is not 100 percent accurate so it may miss identify some songs. But often, it will find publicly released recordings and identify the artist. I have seen one of these guys in North Carolina and I did not even stop to check to see if the "artist" was playing or not. I began playing violin in 1967 or 1968 so I probably could have noticed if it was fake but I didn't even look. Personally, I would still probably give them a few dollars because I try to do that for people I see begging. Thank you for the video. I will definitely observe the "artist" more closely next time.

[@amazoniam3695]

or hand them info for assistance centers... Or even offer them a ride to one. I hear where you're coming from, and I get very sad when I see people down on their luck, but three things I was taught early on from a family member who got through addiction AND worked at a homeless shelter: 1) Never give them money (reason: you don't know what they'll spend it on, and funding an addiction is helping no one) 2) Scammers (who aren't even homeless) are dramatically hurting the homeless population by making everyone think they're all scammers 3) If you want to help, direct them to a shelter, a church, or the myriad of other assistance resources out there Also, this is hurting loads of real musicians who do busk for a living or to supplement their career. Just my two cents. Best wishes to you my friend. 😀

[@thomasho4368]

If that doesn’t work they will try to sell you fake gold. I hate these scammers who prey on the gullible.

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

these fakers have been spotted in texas, minnestoa, georgia, chicago, california, its the latest gypsy hustle trend. weve got a fake kroger violinist as well here in smyrna georgia. it sucks because there are plenty of people who are in real need AND some who also have real legit talents and skill. but its folks like this who make most of us not give a damn about the needy these days, AND it also makes it that much harder for those of us, no matter our situation, who have real talents and skills to be able to promote them, get taken seriously, and use them !

[@kvt72373]

Targets in North Carolina too!!!

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

@@kvt72373 Yeah I’ve seen some caught on camera around those areas as well , it’s disgusting, such a disservice to actual people with real needs and struggles, as well as, again, real musicians who have legit skills and who actually put the time, pride, effort and work into it.

[@kvt72373]

@@Shannonbarnesdr1 I could not agree more with you!

[@rogaineablar5608]

Sounded like the last guy had some accompaniment on his track, which is a dead giveaway.

[@mariab4990]

OMG! I have given my money to 2 of these scams! I can't believe it! In Arizona are a bunch of them and I thought they were from the same school of violinists of something. I feel totally cheated by these frauds. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@oscarmontesdeoca2679]

Let’s just leave this on gods hands for this fake people …

[@wombat1185]

So I heard this guy playing the accordian in a parking lot with accompanying music. I was convinced it was phony. I thought nobody could be that good with so many different songs. He stopped playing for a minute while a mom and her kid came up to talk to him. They didn't believe either but low and behold he stopped the acompanying music and played a few notes. Surprise ! It looked fake but it was real ! Anyway I'm sure there are fakes out there and I'm glad you expose them. Loved your video.

[@alanmccalla6737]

Yes, at a busy Kroger parking lot this last June in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. Same scam, different day, always new crowd of fools.

[@jenjenhope]

💗💗💗 God bless you for spreading the TRUTH!

[@tanya9314]

Just saw a fake 🎻 in Algonquin, Illinois near shopping center near a Nordstrom rack. He was very nervous when everyone pulling out their phone filming. Spoke with him said he didn’t speak English that he’s speaks “Italian”.

[@theorganguy]

Currently one with Quebec licence plates playing in the Greater Vancouver, BC, area - he left after I kept studying his "technique" with more attention then he was comfortable with

[@stargazer9713]

i see fakes out there, more often now. Especially parents putting their kids out there to do the dirty work. is there laws against this abuse? I never give money to violin players these days…..too many fakes.

[@justabill5780]

I've been a guitarist for 35 years and play SOME viola and violin. Those people are reprehensible.

[@benwelchmusic]

Only real violinists like myself can detect this, I once gave money then realized the man was not really playing, and while yes your initial reaction is anger for the time you personally spent learning to play for real, but I realized about 15 min later, imitation is the fondest flattery and why not promote the look and feel of the violin, you can still inspire people to want to hear more violin music and want to learn for real, then I wanted to go back and put in another dollar knowing it was a fake and thank the man for promoting the violin. Nothing wrong with the sound of a violin in a parking lot, I will still donate to these scammers. Think of them as violin djs.

[@lam533]

So you condone and encourage bullshit artist pieces of human debris who bamboozle gullible people with good hearts into giving them their money under false pretenses? I admire you.

[@jayblades2011]

The "musicians" need to step their game up and go play on the street and make their money.

[@LucTran686-c3o]

People that didn’t know about violin scammers like for example the people that gave the scammer the money are losing their fucking minds

[@jerrymorganjr]

I want to do this with guitar and blatantly fake playing, then when someone calls me out, just start shredding for real.

[@christopherespinosa7319]

I grew up playing the Clarinet and saxophone and Trumpet 🎺... it took me YEARS from 6th grade to 12th grade to be as good as I could. Beginning band .. intermediate Band. Advance Band.. then in HS I was in Marching Band with nearly 330 students. We played because we LOVE music 🎶 and love performing. I could never use my instruments to SCAM people. Music should be used to bring Joy not USED to scam money. Sadly, people would do this just to fool you for money.. AND FAKE PLAYING on top of it‼️🙊🙉🙈 That's just horrible

[@shader3020]

Very interesting, just started seeing this in my city.

[@umarhamin3958]

Can't knock the hustle 🤷🏿‍♂️😂😂 just a lil karaoke with strings 😂

[@hnybny]

A guy did this in the shopping plaza next to my apartment complex for two days before I notified the plaza owner and he had them removed by the police. The decibel level was so high people were complaining.

[@LizRealGirlBeauty]

When the music has a gliss but your hand doesn't move...

[@tomxconn]

These scammers are thinking up new things all the time. DON'T DONATE TO THEM - EVER!

[@lam533]

I'd maybe consider handing them a stale french fry from under my car seat if they asked me nicely

[@tinabright4488]

Yes I have seen the cellist in my city in Maine. I donated money so did my daughter and other people I know

[@xercespriest]

I have one of these dudes playing at nearly every shopping area where I live at in PA. The same songs too. In Da Club. All of Me. Say Something. How to Save a Life.

[@AdorzAaliyahSince94]

They're purposely picking the suburban outskirt areas of Memphis, where they know well-off people shop.

[@fateindustry]

I actually saw this a few days ago at a Whole Foods in Plano, Tx. With a Venmo sign...

[@tonyoliver2330]

My biggest gripe is that it’s not even good. It’s always super high pitched and glass-cracking in my area.

[@michaelmcbride9551]

Bro mind blown! Thanks for sharing this

[@DJPalMel60]

I gave them a dollar at first, once I was enlightened I went back to the adult and asked if the young man could play without being accompanied. Long story short, he pretended not to understand English, so I just asked for my donation back and kept it moving!!!😂😂😂

[@LeahJackson420]

I don’t think whether they are really playing or not is the point. If the money is going to some organization ...that is the scam.

[@mantaray6535]

I just saw this - thanks for the education

[@vanyavasilika]

Thank you for this video. You have an awesome channel! Cheers!

[@yolandaeast4232]

Good job eric for sniffin out these dodgy fakers. Nice 1

[@thomasho4368]

Here in Sacramento there is a group of these people, everyone just calls them gypsies(don’t mean to offend anyone). They are always well dressed in designer clothes and have signs that say “need help to pay for my studies”. Just the wording of their sign sounds scammy and raises red flags. They usually have little kids with them to get an emotional response.

[@Buchtaak2233]

i would do this to see if people would give me money and then tell them its not me playing and that they should check if street performers are actually playing it before giving them money

[@lindaball403]

Omg! That is horrible. It really does matter. That sweet lady just wants to help someone!

[@davidlindsaytroffer2801]

Tell him his C string is flat. I want to see him try to tune it.

[@amazoniam3695]

*ROFL* Nice double-whammy with the string choice 😉

[@lindaball403]

Oh goodness, I might have fell for it last year!

[@amazoniam3695]

It's okay. Don't get down on yourself. If you see again, ask them for a request (even really simple stuff like "Happy birthday") with NO accompaniment. Good, quick test 😉

[@janetwilkinson1216]

Why can’t you hear the bow on the strings while he’s fake playing. That’s a very loud noise.

[@cspechtify]

I got so scammed, me and my bleeding heart, lol

[@yjb280]

THANK YOU!! I actually gave $20.00 to the Italian man. His violin playing touched my heart. I even asked if he had time to give violin lessons lol.

[@djfearross4144]

He's not Italian. They're Romanians that moved to Italy.

[@rosaspanjol673]

People’s fault!….enablers!…ignore them!.. do not give them money!

[@kitkatkatty1363]

Theres this guy playing a wooden violin near Kroger , on a speaker , I’m wondering if it’s fake ! ): I’m not with my mom , she sent me a recording ! But I’m disappointed if it’s not real .

[@Janel989]

My goodness this stresses me out

[@JPograsPhotography]

I had been noticing in our area that multiple people around here are playing the EXACT same music. I started paying attention, and at least here, when they stop the violin the background music keeps going. But then jump right back in on the exact note they left off at. . Not humanly impossible. But highly improbable. Most would start a verse over, not on the exact note.. correct?

[@richardfrench6556]

I saw a dude at Walmart yesterday. He had the speaker set up playing an old rap instrumental and there was Violin going with the beat. Lol I thought he was really going in and really playing!!! At the same time I was thinking it’s too bad a violin player that good was playing at Walmart. I was thinking what went wrong with this talented musician!!! Lol 😂

[@meoffjack9348]

I’ve never touched a violin and can tell these people are fake by the finger movements. Or lack there of.

[@jillproduction416]

Watchin someone do this right now. As music engineer it’s so obvious

[@imhuemankeepURcolorsforcrayons]

Outside of Whole Food and see one right now as I type! Lol, these ppl are a joke!

[@amazoniam3695]

notify the store manager