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The '''Violin scam''' is a fraudulent public performance where someone pretends to play the violin but is actually playing a pre-recorded track. The scammer solicits donations using a sign and sometimes with a co-conspirator who approaches listeners for money.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |author1=Mary-Katherine |title=The Truth About the People 'Playing' Violin in Kentucky Parking Lots |url=https://wbkr.com/the-truth-about-the-people-playing-violin-in-kentucky-parking-lots/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=WBKR-FM (wbkr.com) |publisher=Townsquare Media, Inc. |date=19 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Sophia Alexandra |title=Police across America warn of scammers pretending to play the violin for money |url=https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/violin/police-busking-scam-america/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Classic FM (www.classicfm.com) |publisher=Global Media & Entertainment Ltd |date=3 August 2022 |location=London |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web |last1=Niles |first1=Laurie |title=V.com weekend vote: Have you encountered a fake violin busker? |url=https://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/202112/29022/ |website=Violinist.com |access-date=27 December 2024 |language=en-us |date=11 December 2021}}</ref> The '''Violin scam''' is a fraudulent public performance where someone pretends to play the violin but is actually playing a pre-recorded track. The scammer solicits donations using a sign and sometimes with a co-conspirator who approaches listeners for money.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |author1=Mary-Katherine |title=The Truth About the People 'Playing' Violin in Kentucky Parking Lots |url=https://wbkr.com/the-truth-about-the-people-playing-violin-in-kentucky-parking-lots/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=WBKR-FM (wbkr.com) |publisher=Townsquare Media, Inc. |date=19 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Sophia Alexandra |title=Police across America warn of scammers pretending to play the violin for money |url=https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/violin/police-busking-scam-america/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Classic FM (www.classicfm.com) |publisher=Global Media & Entertainment Ltd |date=3 August 2022 |location=London |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web |last1=Niles |first1=Laurie |title=V.com weekend vote: Have you encountered a fake violin busker? |url=https://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/202112/29022/ |website=Violinist.com |access-date=27 December 2024 |language=en-us |date=11 December 2021}}</ref>


The scam has been documented across the United States including ],<ref>https://www.ncadvertiser.com/news/article/Norwalk-police-Beware-of-violin-players-seeking-16684439.php</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/violin-portage-target-violinist-solicit-money-donation-westnedge|title=Police say people pretending to play violin for money a 'nationwide issue'|first=Chris Yu &#124; News|last=Channel 3|date=July 25, 2022|website=WWMT}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/fake-violin-scam-edgewater-denver-sloans-lake-warning-police/|title=Edgewater police: man playing violin in parking lot is faking it, don't give him $$ - CBS Colorado|first=CBSColorado com|last=Staff|date=August 17, 2022|website=www.cbsnews.com}}</ref> ],<ref>https://www.ketk.com/news/local-news/fake-violin-scammers-scam-artists-posing-as-musicians-and-asking-for-money-during-the-holidays/</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gvnews.com/opinion/from-the-editor-fake-violinist-scam-comes-our-way-heres-why-its-wrong/article_dadaca10-5356-11ec-9fc7-7f6bd37351e1.html|title=From the Editor: Fake-violinist scam comes our way; here's why it's wrong|first=Dan Shearer|last=dshearer@gvnews.com|date=December 2, 2021|website=Green Valley News & Sahuarita Sun}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/05/21/face-pre-recorded-music-alaska-state-troopers-warn-busking-scams-rise/|title=Face the pre-recorded music: Alaska State Troopers warn of busking scams on the rise|first=Jonson|last=Kuhn|date=May 21, 2024|website=https://www.alaskasnewssource.com}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://liteonline.com/violin-scam-2022/|title=Is This Amazing Boise Violinist Actually Part of an Elaborate Scam Ring?|first=Michelle HeartMichelle|last=Heart|date=April 11, 2022|website=107.9 LITE FM}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kvia.com/news/abc-7-alert-center/2022/02/14/playing-on-your-emotions-violin-scam-reaches-borderland/|title=Playing on your emotions: violin scam reaches Borderland|first=David|last=Gonzalez|date=February 15, 2022}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/royal-palm-beach/romanian-man-arrested-in-palm-beach-county-for-lying-about-sick-child-soliciting-donations|title=Romanian man arrested in Palm Beach County for lying about sick child, soliciting donations|date=January 4, 2023|website=WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://storycounty.news/2021/06/fiddler-or-swindler-ames-violin-busker-sparks-debate-over-performance/|title=Fiddler or swindler? Ames violin busker sparks debate over performance|date=June 3, 2021|website=StoryCounty.News}}</ref> The scam has been documented across the United States including ],<ref name=":4">{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Tara |title=Norwalk police: Beware of violin players seeking donations |url=https://www.ncadvertiser.com/news/article/Norwalk-police-Beware-of-violin-players-seeking-16684439.php |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=New Canaan Advertiser |publisher=Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC |date=8 December 2021}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/violin-portage-target-violinist-solicit-money-donation-westnedge|title=Police say people pretending to play violin for money a 'nationwide issue'|first=Chris Yu &#124; News|last=Channel 3|date=July 25, 2022|website=WWMT}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/fake-violin-scam-edgewater-denver-sloans-lake-warning-police/|title=Edgewater police: man playing violin in parking lot is faking it, don't give him $$ - CBS Colorado|first=CBSColorado com|last=Staff|date=August 17, 2022|website=www.cbsnews.com}}</ref> ],<ref name=":7">{{cite news |last1=Revelle |first1=Reyna |title=Scam artists posing as musicians and asking for money during the holidays |url=https://www.ketk.com/news/local-news/fake-violin-scammers-scam-artists-posing-as-musicians-and-asking-for-money-during-the-holidays/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=KETK.com |agency=KETK |publisher=Nexstar Media Inc. |date=8 December 2021 |location=Tyler, Texas |language=en}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gvnews.com/opinion/from-the-editor-fake-violinist-scam-comes-our-way-heres-why-its-wrong/article_dadaca10-5356-11ec-9fc7-7f6bd37351e1.html|title=From the Editor: Fake-violinist scam comes our way; here's why it's wrong|first=Dan Shearer|last=dshearer@gvnews.com|date=December 2, 2021|website=Green Valley News & Sahuarita Sun}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/05/21/face-pre-recorded-music-alaska-state-troopers-warn-busking-scams-rise/|title=Face the pre-recorded music: Alaska State Troopers warn of busking scams on the rise|first=Jonson|last=Kuhn|date=May 21, 2024|website=https://www.alaskasnewssource.com}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://liteonline.com/violin-scam-2022/|title=Is This Amazing Boise Violinist Actually Part of an Elaborate Scam Ring?|first=Michelle HeartMichelle|last=Heart|date=April 11, 2022|website=107.9 LITE FM}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kvia.com/news/abc-7-alert-center/2022/02/14/playing-on-your-emotions-violin-scam-reaches-borderland/|title=Playing on your emotions: violin scam reaches Borderland|first=David|last=Gonzalez|date=February 15, 2022}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/royal-palm-beach/romanian-man-arrested-in-palm-beach-county-for-lying-about-sick-child-soliciting-donations|title=Romanian man arrested in Palm Beach County for lying about sick child, soliciting donations|date=January 4, 2023|website=WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://storycounty.news/2021/06/fiddler-or-swindler-ames-violin-busker-sparks-debate-over-performance/|title=Fiddler or swindler? Ames violin busker sparks debate over performance|date=June 3, 2021|website=StoryCounty.News}}</ref>


There has been confusion between real street violinists and scammers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://moco360.media/2021/12/07/miscommunication-by-police-about-public-musicians-enrages-area-buskers/|title=Miscommunication by police about public musicians enrages area buskers|first=Dan|last=Schere|date=December 7, 2021|website=MoCo360}}</ref> There has been confusion between real street violinists and scammers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://moco360.media/2021/12/07/miscommunication-by-police-about-public-musicians-enrages-area-buskers/|title=Miscommunication by police about public musicians enrages area buskers|first=Dan|last=Schere|date=December 7, 2021|website=MoCo360}}</ref>
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The Montgomery County Department of Police has stated that the performer's claims of being homeless or having a sick relative are usually untrue, but that they cannot officially discourage the donation of money.<ref name=":15"/> The Montgomery County Department of Police has stated that the performer's claims of being homeless or having a sick relative are usually untrue, but that they cannot officially discourage the donation of money.<ref name=":15"/>


], the host of ''] Saturday'' on ], called the scam "one more raindrop in the storm of schemes that blur our view of what's right in front of us."<ref>https://www.npr.org/2022/08/20/1118585537/opinion-that-unbelievable-street-violinist-could-just-be-a-finger-syncher</ref> ], the host of ''] Saturday'' on ], called the scam "one more raindrop in the storm of schemes that blur our view of what's right in front of us."<ref name=":16">{{cite news |last1=Simon |first1=Scott |title=Opinion: That unbelievable street violinist could just be a 'finger-syncer' |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/08/20/1118585537/opinion-that-unbelievable-street-violinist-could-just-be-a-finger-syncher |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=NPR (www.npr.org) |publisher=National Public Radio, Inc. |date=20 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref>


== References == == References ==

Revision as of 07:25, 27 December 2024

The Violin scam is a fraudulent public performance where someone pretends to play the violin but is actually playing a pre-recorded track. The scammer solicits donations using a sign and sometimes with a co-conspirator who approaches listeners for money.

The scam has been documented across the United States including Connecticut, Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Alaska, Idaho, New Mexico, Florida, and Iowa.

There has been confusion between real street violinists and scammers.

When asked if the performance is genuine, the performers often state that they don't speak English.

The Montgomery County Department of Police has stated that the performer's claims of being homeless or having a sick relative are usually untrue, but that they cannot officially discourage the donation of money.

Scott Simon, the host of Weekend Edition Saturday on NPR, called the scam "one more raindrop in the storm of schemes that blur our view of what's right in front of us."

References

  1. Mary-Katherine (December 19, 2023). "The Truth About the People 'Playing' Violin in Kentucky Parking Lots". WBKR-FM (wbkr.com). Townsquare Media, Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  2. Hall, Sophia Alexandra (August 3, 2022). "Police across America warn of scammers pretending to play the violin for money". Classic FM (www.classicfm.com). London: Global Media & Entertainment Ltd. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  3. Niles, Laurie (December 11, 2021). "V.com weekend vote: Have you encountered a fake violin busker?". Violinist.com. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  4. O'Neill, Tara (December 8, 2021). "Norwalk police: Beware of violin players seeking donations". New Canaan Advertiser. Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  5. Channel 3, Chris Yu | News (July 25, 2022). "Police say people pretending to play violin for money a 'nationwide issue'". WWMT.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. Staff, CBSColorado com (August 17, 2022). "Edgewater police: man playing violin in parking lot is faking it, don't give him $$ - CBS Colorado". www.cbsnews.com.
  7. Revelle, Reyna (December 8, 2021). "Scam artists posing as musicians and asking for money during the holidays". KETK.com. Tyler, Texas: Nexstar Media Inc. KETK. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  8. dshearer@gvnews.com, Dan Shearer (December 2, 2021). "From the Editor: Fake-violinist scam comes our way; here's why it's wrong". Green Valley News & Sahuarita Sun.
  9. Kuhn, Jonson (May 21, 2024). "Face the pre-recorded music: Alaska State Troopers warn of busking scams on the rise". https://www.alaskasnewssource.com. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  10. Heart, Michelle HeartMichelle (April 11, 2022). "Is This Amazing Boise Violinist Actually Part of an Elaborate Scam Ring?". 107.9 LITE FM.
  11. Gonzalez, David (February 15, 2022). "Playing on your emotions: violin scam reaches Borderland".
  12. "Romanian man arrested in Palm Beach County for lying about sick child, soliciting donations". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. January 4, 2023.
  13. "Fiddler or swindler? Ames violin busker sparks debate over performance". StoryCounty.News. June 3, 2021.
  14. Schere, Dan (December 7, 2021). "Miscommunication by police about public musicians enrages area buskers". MoCo360.
  15. ^ Yu, Chris (July 27, 2022). "Scammers pretending to play violin for money a 'nationwide issue,' police say". Komo News (komonews.com). Portage, Michigan: Sinclair, Inc. WWMT. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  16. Simon, Scott (August 20, 2022). "Opinion: That unbelievable street violinist could just be a 'finger-syncer'". NPR (www.npr.org). National Public Radio, Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2024.