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.[1][2][3]
The scam has been documented across the United States including Connecticut,[4] Michigan,[5] Colorado,[6] Texas,[7] Arizona,[8] Alaska,[9] Idaho,[10] New Mexico,[11] Florida,[12] Iowa,[13]
When asked if the performance is genuine, the performers often state that they don't speak English.[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.[16]
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."[17]
References
edit- ^ https://wbkr.com/the-truth-about-the-people-playing-violin-in-kentucky-parking-lots/
- ^ https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/violin/police-busking-scam-america/
- ^ https://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/202112/29022/
- ^ https://www.ncadvertiser.com/news/article/Norwalk-police-Beware-of-violin-players-seeking-16684439.php
- ^ https://wwmt.com/news/local/violin-portage-target-violinist-solicit-money-donation-westnedge
- ^ https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/fake-violin-scam-edgewater-denver-sloans-lake-warning-police/
- ^ https://www.ketk.com/news/local-news/fake-violin-scammers-scam-artists-posing-as-musicians-and-asking-for-money-during-the-holidays/
- ^ 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
- ^ https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/05/21/face-pre-recorded-music-alaska-state-troopers-warn-busking-scams-rise/
- ^ https://liteonline.com/violin-scam-2022/
- ^ https://kvia.com/news/abc-7-alert-center/2022/02/14/playing-on-your-emotions-violin-scam-reaches-borderland/
- ^ 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
- ^ https://storycounty.news/2021/06/fiddler-or-swindler-ames-violin-busker-sparks-debate-over-performance/
- ^ https://moco360.media/2021/12/07/miscommunication-by-police-about-public-musicians-enrages-area-buskers/
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ https://www.npr.org/2022/08/20/1118585537/opinion-that-unbelievable-street-violinist-could-just-be-a-finger-syncher