A disturbing new social media trend is blurring the line between digital mischief and real-world danger. Users are creating AI-generated images of strangers inside their homes and sending them to friends or family as pranks—often with messages implying the intruder is a friend or guest. What started as “harmless fun” on TikTok has rapidly escalated into a nationwide safety issue, with police departments reporting multiple emergency calls and full-scale law enforcement responses. Videos of the prank have gone viral, but many recipients experience genuine terror, believing their homes have been invaded. In one case, creator Ray Spencer admitted his own husband began shaking uncontrollably after seeing the fabricated image, highlighting how convincingly realistic—and emotionally devastating—these AI pranks can be.

Law enforcement agencies are sounding the alarm, warning that these so-called pranks can lead to serious consequences. Because the reports simulate an immediate threat to life or property, dispatchers must treat them as top-priority emergencies, triggering aggressive police responses that can include armed entry, SWAT deployment, or home evacuations. The Round Rock Police Department in Texas has already confirmed multiple responses to such AI-generated false alarms, emphasizing the strain they place on public resources and the potential for tragedy if a misunderstanding escalates. Authorities are urging social media users to consider the real-world impact of these digital deceptions—reminding the public that one viral prank could end in irreversible harm.

SOURCE: Breitbart