Police warn of ‘AI Homeless Man Prank’ at WA high school
OAK HARBOR, Wash. - The Oak Harbor Police Department issued a press release Monday addressing a concerning social media post that recently circulated among parents and community members.
Authorities said the post falsely claimed that a homeless individual was on the Oak Harbor High School campus.
What they're saying:
"This claim is not accurate," the OHPD wrote in the release. "There have been no incidents or safety concerns involving the homeless population at any Oak Harbor School District campus."
According to the OHPD, the false report is tied to a popular new social media trend known as the "AI Homeless Man Prank", in which people use artificial intelligence to digitally insert realistic-looking individuals into photos of familiar settings. The prank typically involves sharing those images, often with parents, to create a false narrative.
Dig deeper:
In a typical version of the prank, a person sends an AI-generated image to a friend or family member, claiming a homeless man has appeared at their home or school. The exchange often escalates through a series of messages – for example, saying the man was hungry so he was given food from the fridge, or that he was tired and allowed to rest inside – all designed to alarm the recipient. Videos of these staged text exchanges have gone viral online.
What we know:
"In this case, students generated and circulated an image implying the presence of a homeless individual on school grounds, which led to unnecessary concern within the community," the police wrote.
The department said it is working with the school district to investigate the incident and address the spread of the fake content.
What you can do:
Authorities also encouraged families to talk with their children about responsible technology use and the potential consequences of sharing false information online.
The Source: Information in this story comes from a press release by the Oak Harbor Police Department.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Nobel Prize in medicine goes to 3 scientists, including one from Seattle
Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders draw nearly 200,000 fans in Seattle
Daylight saving time 2025: When will we 'fall back?'
Seattle fans pull a 'double feature,' watching Seahawks, Mariners all day
Seattle police arrest man for ramming family van, setting fire
'Maybe they're hungry': Seattle mayor's public safety comments spark online debate
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump's Portland troop deployment
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.