Wisconsin Police Warn of Dangerous ‘AI Homeless Man’ Prank

Police departments all across the country, including multiple in Wisconsin, are issuing stern warnings regarding a dangerous new prank that's becoming popular on TikTok. Like most unnerving and questionable things these days, it involves artificial intelligence (AI).

Multiple police departments in Wisconsin, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, issued warnings regarding a viral prank involving an "AI homeless man." People have been taking photos of their homes and then, using AI, adding photorealistic images of a homeless person. They send these pictures to their parents via text, and when the parents call or text in horror, kids share screenshots of these texts online.

READ MORE: Iowans Lost Over $42 Million Due to These Dangerous Scams

Police Departments are Getting Frantic Calls from Parents:

Both the Shawano County Sheriff's Office and University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department have issued warnings about these trends. The latter took to Facebook to give some insights into the dangers:

You know that TikTok prank going around where students text their parents an AI-generated photo, saying a stranger moved into their dorm room? Yeah, your parents are calling us about it.

Yep, it's super funny and harmless — but don't let your parents sit and stew on it. Quickly tell them it's a prank so they don't call the police - per the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Facebook post

READ MORE: Dubuque Police Warn About Ongoing Phone Scam

Shawano County authorities added that they responded to a call from a prank victim earlier this week. UW-Madison police have added the trend has gotten out of hand, with students, per Fox 11 Online.

In a few weeks, there will surely be another AI trend that's captivating the youth, but right now, police departments all across the country are sending serious warnings about the danger of this particular scam. Read more about it on Fox 11 Online's website.