A new social media trend dubbed the “AI homeless man prank” is spreading across TikTok, Instagram and other platforms, prompting police departments nationwide to warn of its dangers.
The prank involves using artificial intelligence (AI) image generators to create hyper-realistic photos showing a supposed “homeless man” inside someone’s home — sitting on a couch, eating in the kitchen or standing in a hallway. Participants then send the AI-generated image to a family member or friend with alarming messages suggesting someone has entered the home.
While intended as a joke, some police departments say the prank has prompted unnecessary emergency responses and misuse of 911 services.
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Trend grows on TikTok
On TikTok, the search term “how to do homeless man AI prank” has generated more than 19.7 million posts, with users sharing reaction videos or tutorials that show how to create the images.
Some creators have even posted clips showing police arriving at their doors after the person they texted the photo to called the police to report what they believed was an intruder.
@xxbrittanyxx86 Homeless man prank goes TERRIBLY WRONG #homelessprank #aihomelessmanprank #ai #police #911 ♬ original sound - buckysaveragesimp
The viral posts show how AI-generated images can be used to make hoaxes appear convincing.
How the ‘AI homeless man prank’ images are created
People participating in the trend are taking photos inside their homes — often near doors, in living rooms or by kitchen tables — and uploading them into AI image-generation tools.
Some are using platforms such as Google Gemini (sometimes referred to as Nano Banana), where a simple prompt like “add a picture of a homeless man on my couch” can produce a realistic composite image.
Other users are turning to Snapchat filters, such as “Imagine”, or using a CapCut template, a video editing app widely used on TikTok, to create and share short clips that make the prank appear authentic.
Police departments across the U.S. issue warnings
In Round Rock, Texas, police said they received two 911 calls in early October that turned out to be part of the prank. In both cases, teenagers staged fake home invasions by texting parents the AI-generated images.
“While no one was harmed, making false reports like these can tie up emergency resources and delay responses to legitimate calls for service,” the department said in a public alert. Round Rock Police reminded residents that knowingly filing a false report is a criminal offense under Texas Penal Code 42.06.
In Salem, Massachusetts, police called the trend “stupid and potentially dangerous.” Their statement noted the prank not only dehumanizes the homeless but also creates situations that could turn dangerous for officers responding to what appears to be a burglary in progress.
“It is highly advised that pranksters take the time to read Massachusetts General Law Chapter 269 Section 14B,” Salem Police wrote, warning that false emergency calls can result in up to two and a half years in jail or a $1,000 fine.
In Oak Harbor, Washington, police clarified that a viral image claiming a homeless person was on a high school campus was completely fabricated, FOX 13 reports.
“There have been no incidents or safety concerns involving the homeless population at any Oak Harbor School District campus,” the department said. Officers are now working with school officials to address the spread of false information online.
Prank spreads overseas
The trend has also been reported outside the United States. In Poole, England, police said an “extremely concerned” parent called 999 after receiving AI-generated images from their daughter claiming a homeless man had entered the family home. Officers later confirmed the incident was part of the viral prank.
Poole Police said the call triggered an emergency response, using resources that could have been deployed to other emergencies.
“Look, we all love a good laugh and this can sometimes be by an innocent prank,” the department wrote in a Facebook post. “However, the ‘AI homeless man prank’ trend is not the one … especially for police.”
The department urged residents to verify any alarming messages before calling emergency services, noting that even unintentional hoaxes can divert officers from genuine emergencies.
What parents should know
The Round Rock Police Department urged families to talk with their children about responsible technology use and the consequences of spreading false information online.
Even when meant as a joke, fabricating emergencies can carry criminal penalties and long-term repercussions.
“By working together, we can protect valuable resources, reduce unnecessary risks, and keep our community safe,” Round Rock Police said.
