AI-Generated ’Homeless Man’ Hoax Triggers Widespread 911 Calls, Straining Police Resources

Police departments across multiple U.S. states are grappling with a viral AI-generated prank featuring hyper-realistic images of a 'homeless man' invading homes. The trend, circulating on TikTok and Instagram since early October, shows fabricated scenes of an intruder rummaging through refrigerators or lounging on couches.

Pranksters have weaponized these AI creations, sending them to unsuspecting friends and family to simulate home invasions. The Salem Police Department in Massachusetts reported multiple 911 calls from panicked recipients, prompting high-priority responses with lights and sirens—only to discover digital fabrications. Similar incidents have occurred in Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin.

Law enforcement agencies condemn the trend as a reckless diversion of emergency resources. The New York Times notes these false alarms not only waste taxpayer funds but also endanger officers and civilians by pulling them away from genuine emergencies. No cryptocurrency or exchange linkages were identified in this incident.