Snapchat AI "Homeless Man" Prank Risks Emergencies

Teens are using Snapchat’s AI image tools to generate photos of a disheveled, seemingly unhoused man and sending them to parents as a prank. The setup is simple: kids tell their parents they let the stranger in to use the bathroom, take a nap, or get a drink — sometimes claiming the person knows the parents from work or college — then record the parents’ reactions and post the footage to TikTok. Several clips have racked up millions of views, turning the stunt into a viral trend.

Law enforcement officials warn the prank can be dangerous and costly. When recipients panic and call 911, those calls are treated as high-priority responses — tying up resources and risking escalations. Round Rock Police Patrol Division Commander Andy McKinney told NBC the hoax “could even cause a SWAT response.” The Salem, Massachusetts police department criticized the trend, saying it “dehumanizes the homeless, causes the distressed recipient to panic and wastes police resources,” and noting officers responding don’t know it’s a prank and will treat it as an actual burglary in progress.

The Verge article advises against the prank: beyond upsetting parents and demeaning unhoused people, it can endanger pranksters and first responders while diverting police from real emergencies.