Overview

• Officers were dispatched en masse to a reported burglary after a mother received a text and photo appearing to show a stranger inside her home.
• Every available officer and detective responded, found no one answering the door, and began preparing to make entry.
• The daughter then came to the door and told officers the image had been fabricated as part of a social media prank.
• Police say the trend, often labeled the "AI Homeless Man Prank" on TikTok, causes panic, risks violent confrontations, and drains limited resources.
• Fountain police are warning parents to discuss the emotional and potential legal consequences with children and to confirm such claims before dialing 911.