Zellik (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A TikTok prank featuring an AI-generated homeless person in Zellik spiraled out of control, prompting a police response with flashing lights and sirens.
Parents are being warned by the AMOW police zone (Asse, Merchtem, Opwijk, and Wemmel) about a TikTok hoax their kids are doing. The youths are putting a homeless person in or outside of their home and sending it to their parents via artificial intelligence (AI). They then call the police because they believe a stranger is in the residence. When things got out of control in Zellik this week, police responded by using sirens and flashing lights.
The practice of young people emailing their parents a picture of a homeless person standing on their doorstep has been popular in the Netherlands for some time, and it is now also making its way to Flanders.
A number of additional pictures of the homeless person in bed, on the couch, or at the kitchen table are frequently shot after that artificial intelligence-generated image.
Some parents phone the police in a panic because their children don’t answer when they call. On one occasion, the Dutch police even sent out a helicopter after receiving many allegations.
But things also got out of hand in Zellik, Belgium this week.
“It may have been meant as a joke, but the person who received the photo interpreted it differently and called us,”
says Fred Scrayen of the police station.
“Our crews immediately responded in full force, with flashing lights and sirens.”
Once on the scene, the police realized it was a prank.
“We can’t be funny about that,”
Scrayen continues.
“First and foremost, we’re endangering our officers and road users by driving to the house at high speed. Moreover, this also means we can’t deploy our personnel for other, truly urgent assignments.”
The police immediately filed a report and issued a €350 administrative fine.
“We also urge everyone to stop sending such photos.”
How did local residents and schools react to the Zellik incident?
Residents voiced their frustration and apprehension in response to the panic caused by the fake information, as well as the unnecessary use of police resources. Many called for more care about using AI-generated material to avoid panic and wasting police resources.
Schools in the area stepped up vigilance and communication with parents after the event. Several schools reassured parents about their protocols surrounding safety and relayed a message of caution with respect to perpetrating fake and pranking information.
Parents and school officials commented on the disturbing impact such a hoax can have on children and the community as a whole and advocated for responsible use of technology and social media.
