Have you seen these 'prank' videos online lately? Here's how a harmless trend can put you at risk

A seemingly harmless trend is causing panic in homes across the globe, with grandparents and families falling victim to shockingly realistic images that suggest strangers have broken into their homes.

What started as a joke has now landed teenagers in court and prompted police warnings worldwide.

The so-called 'AI Homeless Man Prank' involves young people using artificial intelligence to create convincing images of dishevelled strangers appearing in family homes—then sending these fake photos to unsuspecting relatives.

The trend has exploded across social media, with over 5 million people engaging with Spencer's original video and the hashtag #homelessmanprank generating more than 1,200 videos.

What might seem like a bit of fun between family members is having serious real-world consequences. Two teenagers in Ohio have already been criminally charged for their involvement in the prank, while police in Massachusetts report investigating three separate incidents where people genuinely believed break-ins were happening.

How the deception works

The process is disturbingly simple: pranksters take photos inside their homes and upload them into AI image-generation tools like Google Gemini, using prompts such as 'add a picture of a homeless man on my couch' to produce realistic composite images.

These videos typically show an unsuspecting target being led to believe that a stranger has made themselves at home, perhaps having a snack from the fridge, taking a nap, or even borrowing personal items.

The emotional toll is immediate and severe. In one viral video with over two million views, a distressed mother told her son to 'let them eat and let them go' after receiving fake images, saying in a voice message, 'This is madness! What is this?'

When pranks become crimes

Australian criminal lawyer Ahmad Faraj has warned that participants could face serious legal consequences.

'Even if the image is not real, the fear it causes can be,' Faraj explained. 'The moment a person feels unsafe, that message can be treated as a menacing or harassing communication under federal law.'

The potential charges include using a carriage service to menace, creating false reports, and hoax offences. Faraj stressed that if an image prompts a police response, 'it can be treated as a criminal act, not a prank.'

Emergency services under pressure

In one incident, a mother called emergency services after receiving a text from her daughter saying a 'strange guy just walked into the house,' prompting every available police officer and detective to respond to what they believed was an urgent burglary.

'Officers are responding FAST using lights-and-sirens to what sounds like a call of a real intruder—and only getting called off once everyone realises it was a joke. That's not just a waste of resources... it's a real safety risk,' an officer shared.

Protecting yourself and your family

Understanding how these fake images are created is the first step in protection. While AI-generated images are becoming increasingly sophisticated, there are still telltale signs to watch for.

Before panic sets in, take a moment to verify. Call the person who sent the image directly, ask specific questions about their location and safety, and trust your instincts if something seems off about the image quality or circumstances.

What to do if you're targeted

If you receive a suspicious image claiming to show an intruder in a family member's home, don't immediately call emergency services. Police advise: 'If you get a message or photo that seems alarming, pause before calling 911. Ask questions. Make sure it's real.'

Contact the sender directly. Use a different communication method—if they texted you, call them. Ask them to confirm their safety and location.

Look for inconsistencies. As one Colorado mother noted: 'If there was someone breaking into your house, why would you stand there and film them going through your refrigerator? If there was someone in our house, I would know that he would probably be screaming and call 911. Not send me a video.'

Trust your knowledge of the person. Consider whether this behaviour is typical for your family member and whether they would really film an intruder rather than seek immediate help.

The broader digital deception problem

This trend highlights a growing challenge in our digital age: distinguishing between real and artificial content. While AI image generators typically include watermarks to indicate artificial creation, users can easily crop them out.

The trend also raises questions about digital literacy and the responsibility that comes with powerful AI tools. As these technologies become more accessible, the potential for misuse grows, particularly among younger users who may not fully grasp the real-world consequences of their online actions.

Responsible use of technology

Police recommend parents talk to their children about using AI responsibly: 'These tools can do amazing things — but misusing them to stage fake emergencies crosses a line.'

Law enforcement urges parents to discuss the serious consequences of these trends and explain how they could have serious emotional and legal consequences.

For families, this means having conversations about technology use, establishing clear guidelines about what constitutes appropriate sharing of AI-generated content, and ensuring everyone understands that actions in the digital world can have very real consequences.

As authorities note, beyond being 'stupid and potentially dangerous', these pranks create situations that could endanger officers responding to what appears to be a burglary in progress, with penalties including jail time and significant fines.

The solution isn't to fear technology, but to approach it with wisdom and awareness. For Australian seniors, this means staying informed about emerging digital trends, maintaining communication with family members about online activities, and knowing when to seek help in verifying suspicious content.

As AI technology continues to evolve, so too must our ability to navigate its implications responsibly. While these tools offer incredible potential for creativity and innovation, they also require us to be more vigilant about verifying what we see and more thoughtful about how we use them.

What are your thoughts on this trend? Have you or your family encountered similar AI-generated content that seemed suspicious? Share your experiences and tips for staying safe in our digital world in the comments below.