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A disturbing new TikTok trend that uses AI to stage fake encounters with so-called “homeless intruders” has prompted police warnings in both the UK and the US.
Known as the “AI Homeless Man Prank,” the viral stunt involves creating AI-generated images of a homeless man digitally placed inside familiar environments - such as a bedroom, kitchen, or classroom - and sending them to unsuspecting friends or family.
The pranksters then share screenshots or videos of the recipients' alarmed reactions on social media, labeling the deception as a joke.
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In one widely shared example, a woman sends her husband an AI image of a shirtless man inside her home, claiming he’s a plumber who has come over to fix the dishwasher. The husband, unaware it’s fake, angrily texts his wife, demanding she throw the man out.
Other versions of the trend have pranksters claiming the man is tired and resting in the house, or was fed food from the fridge.
Police departments condemn the trend
Authorities are now issuing warnings as the prank spreads. They have said the hoax not only misuses emergency services but also fosters harmful misinformation and fear.
In the UK, Dorset Police reported a recent call from an “extremely concerned parent” who believed a man had entered the family home while their daughter was alone, BBC News reported.
The force said it had to deploy "valuable deployable resources" to respond - resources that could have been used for genuine emergencies.
“If you receive a message and pictures similar to the above antics from friends or family, please attempt to check it isn't a prank before dialing 999,” Dorset Police wrote in a public advisory.
Oak Harbor school district targeted in viral hoax
In the US, the Oak Harbor Police Department in Washington state issued a press release after a fabricated social media post falsely claimed that a homeless individual had been seen on the Oak Harbor High School campus.
“This claim is not accurate,” the department clarified, per Fox 13. “There have been no incidents or safety concerns involving the homeless population at any Oak Harbor School District campus.”
According to police, the false report was traced back to the AI Homeless Man Prank. “In this case, students generated and circulated an image implying the presence of a homeless individual on school grounds, which led to unnecessary concern within the community,” the statement said.
Oak Harbor PD added that it is working with the local school district to investigate the incident and to educate students about the risks of spreading false content.
Law enforcement officials in both countries are urging parents and guardians to speak with their children about responsible technology use, particularly when it comes to emerging AI tools that can convincingly manipulate reality.