What Is 'AI Homeless Man' Viral Prank? Bizarre Trend Sparks Panic Among Netizens

A bizarre new social media trend is causing panic among netizens and even drawing warnings from authorities in the US and UK. Known as the “AI Homeless Man Prank,” users are creating hyper-realistic AI-generated images of a disheveled homeless man placed in familiar locations such as homes, workplaces, or schools, then sending them to friends and family to provoke shock and confusion.Though meant to be funny, the prank has triggered intense reactions both online and offline. Many recipients initially panic or get angry before realising it’s fake, while pranksters record their responses and post screenshots or videos on Instagram, X, and TikTok. Some users go a step further, creating fake text or WhatsApp chats to make the hoax seem more believable.

In one viral TikTok clip, a woman tricked her husband by sending him an AI-generated image of a man inside their house, saying he was a “friend from college,” which led to a furious reaction.To create these convincing images, users are relying on tools such as Google’s Gemini (also referred to as Nano Banana) and MyEdit’s AI Replace feature. The trend has become so widespread that law enforcement agencies have now begun issuing warnings.

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Viral Prank Prompts Police Warnings in the US and UK The viral “AI Homeless Man” prank has raised serious concerns across both the UK and the US, prompting multiple police warnings. As reported by the BBC, Dorset Police in England said it recently responded to a distress call from an “extremely concerned parent” who thought an intruder had entered their home while their daughter was alone — only to later discover it was part of an AI-generated hoax.The department strongly criticised the prank, noting that it wasted “valuable deployable resources” needed for real emergencies. In a public advisory, they urged people to verify before reacting: “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 dialling 999.”Across the Atlantic, police in Washington state also had to step in after a fake post claimed a homeless man was spotted at a local high school. The Oak Harbor Police Department confirmed that the image was AI-generated and tied to the same online trend. “There have been no incidents or safety concerns involving the homeless population at any Oak Harbor School District campus,” authorities said, according to Fox 13 Seattle. They further encouraged families to speak with children about using AI responsibly.