Donegal Gardaí are urging the public to be vigilant of a popular AI prank that is making the rounds.
A number of videos have went viral on video apps such as TikTok, where AI image generators are used to place a fake home intruder in the house of a friend or family member.
An Garda Siochana Donegal said via social media that these well-intentioned pranks have led to a number of calls to Gardaí, with emergency responses being initiated for eventual hoax home intrusions.
“An Garda Síochána is aware of a trending prank circulating on social media in which a loved one is sent an AI-generated image of a home intruder,” Donegal Gardaí posted.
“Already on a number of occasions this has resulted in the emergency deployment of Gardaí to an ultimately hoax report of burglary.”
“This represents a waste of valuable Garda resources and diverts from genuine emergency calls which require a response. There is a risk that legitimate emergency calls will not receive the necessary urgent attention, which poses serious safety concerns for those who need our immediate assistance.”
“We urge everyone not to engage in this prank and to consider the consequences that may result from such activity.”
Donegal Gardaí urge public to be wary of AI home intruder prank was last modified: October 4th, 2025 by Staff Writer