'Stupid,' 'Potentially Dangerous': Salem Police Warn Of TikTok AI 'Homeless Man' Prank

SALEM, MA — Salem police are advising residents to be aware of what they called a "stupid and potentially dangerous" TikTok prank involving an artificial intelligence video that makes it appear that a homeless man has broken into a resident's home.

"There are several variations of this TiKTok AI prank — all of which are designed to provoke a reaction on the part of the recipient of the prank," police said on Monday morning. "Besides being in bad taste, there are many reasons why this prank is, to put it bluntly, stupid and potentially dangerous."

Police said the prank involves an AI-generated "intruder" who is either trying to break into a home or is inside the home.

"The setting of the home is real — the 'homeless man' is not," police said.

The AI-generated image is then sent via text to the unsuspecting homeowner, relative or friend and their reaction — by text or telephone call — is recorded and posted to social media.

"In several cases, those who received these AI-generated images and commentary sincerely believed that there was an actual intruder in their home and called 9-1-1 to report a burglary or breaking and entering in progress, which necessitated an immediate police response," police said. "This prank dehumanizes the homeless, causes the distressed recipient to panic and wastes police resources.

"Police officers who are called upon to respond do not know this is a prank and treat the call as an actual burglary in progress, thus creating a potentially dangerous situation."

Salem police advised anyone who perpetuates this prank that it is against the law to cause willfully and maliciously cause false information to be communicated to police departments

It is highly advised that pranksters take the time to read Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 269 Section 14B (Willful and malicious communication of false information to public safety, resulting in the dispatch of emergency services.

The punishment for violating that law is a prison sentence of up to 2 1/2 years and a fine of up to $1,000.

"Think of the consequences before you prank," Salem police said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)