Fountain, CO – Police in Colorado are warning parents across the nation about a new viral TikTok trend that has led to real emergency calls and heavy police responses. The so-called “AI Homeless Man Prank” uses artificial intelligence to create realistic images of strangers appearing inside a home, often shared to scare family members or friends.
According to the Fountain Police Department, officers were dispatched to a reported burglary after a mother called 911 in panic. The woman had received a message from her daughter claiming “some strange guy just walked into the house asking to use the restroom,” along with a photo showing a disheveled man sitting inside their living room.
When officers arrived, there was no response at the door, prompting a full-scale police response before the daughter revealed it was a prank created with AI tools. Police said every available officer and detective responded, calling the trend “dangerous and wasteful.”
“While it may seem like a joke, this prank isn’t funny,” the department wrote in a statement. “It causes panic, wastes emergency resources, and could easily lead to someone getting hurt.”
Authorities are urging parents to talk to their children about the consequences of online trends that misuse AI or simulate dangerous situations. They warn that viral “AI intruder” images are spreading well beyond Colorado, appearing in social media posts across multiple states.
“Make sure it’s real before you call 911,” police advised. “And make sure your family knows if you’re joking — before it’s too late.”
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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