Misplaced Pages

Violin scam: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 18:17, 30 December 2024 editThriley (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users57,979 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit Revision as of 18:20, 30 December 2024 edit undoThriley (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users57,979 editsNo edit summaryNext edit →
Line 2: Line 2:
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=":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 sign typically asks for money to assist with bills, rent, or medical treatment for themselves or an ill family member.<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> 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=":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 sign typically asks for money to assist with bills, rent, or medical treatment for themselves or an ill family member.<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>


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 name=":5">{{cite news |last1=Yu |first1=Chris |title=Police say people pretending to play violin for money a 'nationwide issue' |url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/violin-portage-target-violinist-solicit-money-donation-westnedge |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=WWMT News Channel 3 |publisher=Sinclair, Inc. |date=26 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> ],<ref name=":6">{{cite news |title=Edgewater police: man playing violin in parking lot is faking it, don't give him $$ |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/fake-violin-scam-edgewater-denver-sloans-lake-warning-police/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=CBS News (www.cbsnews.com) |agency=CBS Colorado |publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc. |date=17 August 2022}}</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 name=":8">{{cite news |last1=Shearer |first1=Dan |title=From the Editor: Fake-violinist scam comes our way; here's why it's wrong |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 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Green Valley News & Sahuarita Sun (gvnews.com) |publisher=Wick Communications |date=2 December 2021 |location=Green Valley, Arizona |language=en |url-access=subscription}}</ref> ],<ref name=":9">{{cite news |last1=Kuhn |first1=Jonson |title=Face the pre-recorded music: Alaska State Troopers warn of busking scams on the rise |url=https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/05/21/face-pre-recorded-music-alaska-state-troopers-warn-busking-scams-rise/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Alaska’s News Source (www.alaskasnewssource.com) |agency=KTUU |publisher=Gray Local Media, Inc. |date=21 May 2024 |location=Anchorage, Alaska |language=en}}</ref> ],<ref name=":10">{{cite news |last1=Heart |first1=Michelle |title=Is This Amazing Boise Violinist Actually Part of an Elaborate Scam Ring? |url=https://liteonline.com/violin-scam-2022/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=107.9 LITE FM |publisher=Townsquare Media, Inc. |date=11 April 2022 |location=Boise, Idaho |language=en}}</ref> ],<ref name=":11">{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=David |title=Playing on your emotions: violin scam reaches Borderland |url=https://kvia.com/news/abc-7-alert-center/2022/02/14/playing-on-your-emotions-violin-scam-reaches-borderland/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=KVIA (kvia.com) |publisher=News-Press & Gazette Company (NPG) |date=15 February 2022 |location=Las Cruces, New Mexico}}</ref> ],<ref name=":12">{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Todd |title=Romanian man arrested in Palm Beach County for lying about sick child, soliciting donations |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 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=WPTV News Channel 5 |publisher=Scripps Media, Inc. |date=5 January 2023 |location=Royal Palm Beach, Florida |language=en}}</ref> and ].<ref name=":13">{{cite news |title=Fiddler or swindler? Ames violin busker sparks debate over performance |url=https://storycounty.news/2021/06/fiddler-or-swindler-ames-violin-busker-sparks-debate-over-performance/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=StoryCounty.News |date=3 June 2021}}</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 name=":5">{{cite news |last1=Yu |first1=Chris |title=Police say people pretending to play violin for money a 'nationwide issue' |url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/violin-portage-target-violinist-solicit-money-donation-westnedge |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=WWMT News Channel 3 |publisher=Sinclair, Inc. |date=26 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> ],<ref name=":6">{{cite news |title=Edgewater police: man playing violin in parking lot is faking it, don't give him $$ |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/fake-violin-scam-edgewater-denver-sloans-lake-warning-police/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=CBS News (www.cbsnews.com) |agency=CBS Colorado |publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc. |date=17 August 2022}}</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 name=":8">{{cite news |last1=Shearer |first1=Dan |title=From the Editor: Fake-violinist scam comes our way; here's why it's wrong |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 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Green Valley News & Sahuarita Sun (gvnews.com) |publisher=Wick Communications |date=2 December 2021 |location=Green Valley, Arizona |language=en |url-access=subscription}}</ref> ],<ref name=":9">{{cite news |last1=Kuhn |first1=Jonson |title=Face the pre-recorded music: Alaska State Troopers warn of busking scams on the rise |url=https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/05/21/face-pre-recorded-music-alaska-state-troopers-warn-busking-scams-rise/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Alaska’s News Source (www.alaskasnewssource.com) |agency=KTUU |publisher=Gray Local Media, Inc. |date=21 May 2024 |location=Anchorage, Alaska |language=en}}</ref> ],<ref name=":10">{{cite news |last1=Heart |first1=Michelle |title=Is This Amazing Boise Violinist Actually Part of an Elaborate Scam Ring? |url=https://liteonline.com/violin-scam-2022/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=107.9 LITE FM |publisher=Townsquare Media, Inc. |date=11 April 2022 |location=Boise, Idaho |language=en}}</ref> ],<ref name=":11">{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=David |title=Playing on your emotions: violin scam reaches Borderland |url=https://kvia.com/news/abc-7-alert-center/2022/02/14/playing-on-your-emotions-violin-scam-reaches-borderland/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=KVIA (kvia.com) |publisher=News-Press & Gazette Company (NPG) |date=15 February 2022 |location=Las Cruces, New Mexico}}</ref> ],<ref name=":12">{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Todd |title=Romanian man arrested in Palm Beach County for lying about sick child, soliciting donations |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 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=WPTV News Channel 5 |publisher=Scripps Media, Inc. |date=5 January 2023 |location=Royal Palm Beach, Florida |language=en}}</ref> and ].<ref name=":13">{{cite news |title=Fiddler or swindler? Ames violin busker sparks debate over performance |url=https://storycounty.news/2021/06/fiddler-or-swindler-ames-violin-busker-sparks-debate-over-performance/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=StoryCounty.News |date=3 June 2021}}</ref> It has also been seen in the United Kingdom, with individuals conducting the scam near London Underground stations and shopping center entrances.<ref name=":2"/>


When asked if the performance is genuine, the performers often state that they don't speak English.<ref name=":15">{{cite news |last1=Yu |first1=Chris |title=Scammers pretending to play violin for money a 'nationwide issue,' police say |url=https://komonews.com/amp/news/nation-world/scammers-pretending-to-play-violin-for-money-a-nationwide-issue-police-say-united-states-target-portage-michigan-license-plates-texas-virginia-illinois-maryland-connecticut-music-bow-strings-speaker-wwmt-springfield-township-oakland-county |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Komo News (komonews.com) |agency=WWMT |publisher=Sinclair, Inc. |date=27 July 2022 |df=mdy-all |location=Portage, Michigan |language=en}}</ref> When asked if the performance is genuine, the performers often state that they don't speak English.<ref name=":15">{{cite news |last1=Yu |first1=Chris |title=Scammers pretending to play violin for money a 'nationwide issue,' police say |url=https://komonews.com/amp/news/nation-world/scammers-pretending-to-play-violin-for-money-a-nationwide-issue-police-say-united-states-target-portage-michigan-license-plates-texas-virginia-illinois-maryland-connecticut-music-bow-strings-speaker-wwmt-springfield-township-oakland-county |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Komo News (komonews.com) |agency=WWMT |publisher=Sinclair, Inc. |date=27 July 2022 |df=mdy-all |location=Portage, Michigan |language=en}}</ref>

Revision as of 18:20, 30 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 sign typically asks for money to assist with bills, rent, or medical treatment for themselves or an ill family member.

The scam has been documented across the United States including Connecticut, Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Alaska, Idaho, New Mexico, Florida, and Iowa. It has also been seen in the United Kingdom, with individuals conducting the scam near London Underground stations and shopping center entrances.

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.

There has been confusion by the general public between real street violinists and scammers. Real musicians who busk for a living have felt threatened by the scam, with some filming themselves confronting the scammers. David Wallace, the chair of the Strings Department at the Berklee College of Music believes that skepticism of the legitimacy of a performance may cause people to "become more cautious about giving to any musician." 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. Niles, Laurie (December 11, 2021). "V.com weekend vote: Have you encountered a fake violin busker?". Violinist.com. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  3. ^ 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.
  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. Yu, Chris (July 26, 2022). "Police say people pretending to play violin for money a 'nationwide issue'". WWMT News Channel 3. Sinclair, Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  6. "Edgewater police: man playing violin in parking lot is faking it, don't give him $$". CBS News (www.cbsnews.com). CBS Broadcasting Inc. CBS Colorado. August 17, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  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. Shearer, Dan (December 2, 2021). "From the Editor: Fake-violinist scam comes our way; here's why it's wrong". Green Valley News & Sahuarita Sun (gvnews.com). Green Valley, Arizona: Wick Communications. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  9. Kuhn, Jonson (May 21, 2024). "Face the pre-recorded music: Alaska State Troopers warn of busking scams on the rise". Alaska’s News Source (www.alaskasnewssource.com). Anchorage, Alaska: Gray Local Media, Inc. KTUU. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  10. Heart, Michelle (April 11, 2022). "Is This Amazing Boise Violinist Actually Part of an Elaborate Scam Ring?". 107.9 LITE FM. Boise, Idaho: Townsquare Media, Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  11. Gonzalez, David (February 15, 2022). "Playing on your emotions: violin scam reaches Borderland". KVIA (kvia.com). Las Cruces, New Mexico: News-Press & Gazette Company (NPG). Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  12. Wilson, Todd (January 5, 2023). "Romanian man arrested in Palm Beach County for lying about sick child, soliciting donations". WPTV News Channel 5. Royal Palm Beach, Florida: Scripps Media, Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  13. "Fiddler or swindler? Ames violin busker sparks debate over performance". StoryCounty.News. June 3, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. Schere, Dan (December 7, 2021). "Miscommunication by police about public musicians enrages area buskers". MoCo360 (moco360.media). Bethesda, Maryland. 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.