AI-generated 'homeless man' prank on TikTok causes panic and police response
Users on TikTok generated AI images of homeless people and sent them to family members with false stories to cause panic. Two minors in Ohio were charged criminally, and police departments across the United States warned that the trend wastes emergency resources and dehumanizes homeless people.
What happened
A viral TikTok trend emerged in which users generated AI images of homeless men and sent them to family members or partners with false stories about finding a homeless person in their home, feeding and lodging them, or allowing them to sleep in beds.
Two minors from Ohio were charged criminally for participation in the 'AI Homeless Man Prank' trend, according to the Brown County Sheriff's Office.
Reported impact
Recipients of the prank experienced significant fear and panic. Some came to addresses to drive away the supposed guest, and others called police emergency services (911), resulting in police dispatches.
Police departments warned that the trend dehumanizes homeless people, triggers panic in recipients, and wastes police resources by diverting emergency responders from actual incidents.
Index analysis
The Yonkers Police Department stated that officers respond quickly to such calls with lights and sirens, treating them as potential home invasions, and only learn it is a prank once on scene.
The Salem Police Department publicly warned perpetrators to review state laws, emphasizing the 'poor taste' and harm the viral trend causes. Police departments across the United States issued advisories about the trend.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.