A bizarre new AI prank is startling people online. It generates hyper-realistic images of a fake untidy man appearing inside homes, schools and workplaces.
A new social media trend is startling people online by featuring a fake homeless man in everyday places. Known as the "AI Homeless Man Prank," the trend uses AI to generate highly realistic images of an untidy man appearing in homes, schools, and workplaces. These images are then shared with friends and family to elicit shock. While intended as a joke, many viewers react with fear or anger before realising the images are entirely fake.
Pranksters often record reactions or take screenshots to share on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Some even add fake text messages or WhatsApp chats to make the prank appear more convincing.
Wife Pranks Husband With AI-Generated 'Intruder' Photo
Speaking of which, one clip has gone viral on social media showing a woman pranking her husband with an AI-generated image of a man inside their house. She tells him the man claimed to be his old college friend. This sparked an angry reaction from her husband that was caught on camera and quickly went viral online.
Many such clips have gone viral, and while they may seem hilarious, they've also raised concerns, with police now stepping in.
Police Warns About Prank After False Alarms
The prank has caused real concern in the UK and the US, with police issuing warnings.
In England, Dorset Police received a call from a panicked parent who thought an intruder was in the house while their daughter was alone. It turned out the images were part of the AI prank.
Authorities reportedly said such hoaxes waste time and resources that are needed for real emergencies. They advised people to double-check before reacting to shocking messages from friends or family.
Schools And Communities Affected By Fake Sightings
In the US, police in Washington state were forced to respond after a viral post falsely claimed a homeless man had been spotted at a local high school. The Oak Harbor Police later confirmed that the image was AI-generated and part of the ongoing "AI Homeless Man" trend. Officials assured the public that there were no safety concerns and urged parents to talk to their children about using AI responsibly to prevent unnecessary panic.
AI Tools Are Making Pranks More Realistic
Users are also relying on tools like Google's Gemini (Nano Banana) and MyEdit's AI Replace feature to create these lifelike images.
The AI tool can convincingly place a person in various real-world settings, which is why so many people are initially deceived. However, experts warn that while such technology is powerful, it can also be easily misused for pranks or spreading misinformation.