BREAK-IN PRANK

Gardai's appeal after viral 'stranger in home' pic hoax leads to 999 calls

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE Crime and Defence Editor

GARDAI have appealed for people not to target loved ones in the latest online prank that is going viral - but has caused some of the victims to call 999 for real.

Officers say the prank - in which someone sends an Al-generated image of a stranger in their home to an older relative and asks for help - has seen the victims panic and call the emergency services for help.