A growing social media trend involving AI-generated images of a so-called “AI homeless man” has led to real-world consequences, with parents calling 911 in panic after receiving fake photos of a disheveled man allegedly in their homes. The prank, popularized on TikTok, involves teens using generative AI tools—particularly Snapchat’s AI features—to create realistic images of a homeless-looking individual inside their house, often with a fabricated backstory like claiming to know the family or needing a place to nap. The pranksters then send the image to their parents, record the reactions, and post the videos online, where some have gained nearly a million likes and thousands of comments. The hashtag #homelessmanprank now has over 1,200 videos on TikTok, and tutorials on how to create the images are widely available. While the prank may seem harmless to some, it has sparked serious concerns among law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and the U.K. Police departments in Round Rock, Texas; Oak Harbor, Washington; Salem, Massachusetts; and Poole, England, have all issued public statements about the trend. The Round Rock Police Department said it responded to two false emergency calls linked to the prank, calling it a misuse of emergency services. They warned that such hoaxes divert critical resources from real emergencies. The Oak Harbor Police Department reported responding to a call about a “homeless individual” on school grounds, which was later confirmed to be a fabricated image created by students. The Salem Police Department emphasized that the prank dehumanizes homeless people, causes emotional distress, and can lead to dangerous police responses, including armed interventions or SWAT deployments. NBC’s Nightly News highlighted the issue, quoting Round Rock Police Patrol Division Commander Andy McKinney, who explained that calls about intruders trigger aggressive responses due to safety concerns. “We’re worried about the safety of individuals in the home, which can mean clearing the home with guns drawn,” he said. “It could cause a SWAT response.” The trend underscores the real-world dangers of AI misuse, particularly when it involves deception, fear, and the potential for violent police reactions. While the prank may be intended as a joke, it exploits the vulnerability of homeless individuals and places a strain on public safety systems. As AI tools become more accessible, the line between digital mischief and real harm continues to blur.