Viral Google Maps 'HELP' Messages in Los Angeles Confirmed as Trespassing Hoax

Police and property owners confirm no evidence of human trafficking after viral satellite images spark online speculation.

Satellite images from Google Maps showing 'HELP' and 'TRAFICO' written on the ground in a Los Angeles lot have been confirmed as real but not linked to criminal activity.
The Los Angeles Police Department and Union Pacific Railroad, the property owner, stated that the messages were created by a trespasser over a year ago.
The individual responsible, identified as a man named Jose, has reportedly refused housing and mental health evaluations, according to police.
Social media speculation linked the messages to human trafficking, but officials have found no evidence to support these claims.
The markings were first visible in mid-2023 and have since gained renewed attention due to viral posts and online conspiracy theories.