Police warn against fake Cat in the Hat serial killer videos

Police in Ireland and the UK warned people against viral videos claiming a “Cat in the Hat” serial killer was stalking neighborhoods at night, saying the clips are AI generated and fake. Reports and images spread widely on TikTok and other platforms, prompting real-world confusion among teenagers.

BBC reported millions of views for viral posts showing a black-and-white feline wearing a red-and-white striped hat, including AI-created clips centered on Irish counties of Limerick and Wexford. Some posts suggested the figure could appear outside homes after dark, while others added unverified claims about violence.

Wexford gardai said the online issue was based on an AI prompt that places the character into images and videos of familiar places.

"Fortunately, we can rule out the issue, which is essentially an AI prompt that places the character into images/videos of familiar places. To be clear, the Cat in the Hat was not in your driveway while you were out and he is not currently hiding out in Curracloe." said Wexford Gardaí.

In Wexford, Gardaí also said the character was not in residents’ driveways and that the sightings were not real. BBC reported the rumor also spread beyond Ireland into UK areas.

South Yorkshire Police said it had received no reports of a “Cat in the Hat” in Meadowhall or anywhere else in the force’s area.

"To confirm, we have not had any reports of a cat in a hat in Meadowhall, or anywhere else in South Yorkshire for that matter." said South Yorkshire Police spokesperson.

South Yorkshire Police added that there were no recent sightings involving “Thing One and Thing Two” and urged people to verify police updates using official accounts. The warning came after a fake statement attributed to “Yorkshire Police” claimed officers were aware of reports near Meadowhall.

South Yorkshire Police said people should check that social media posts claiming policing updates come from official policing accounts.

"On a serious note, if you do see posts online providing policing updates and advice, please check that they are from an official policing account. The cat is not out of the hat on this one... we don't have a new account or a new logo. Please don't believe everything you read on social media." said South Yorkshire Police spokesperson.

BBC reported teenagers said the trend affected their plans, including one 16-year-old who told BBC she called her mother to pick her up after watching videos at about 3am during a sleepover. BBC also noted the viral spread included AI-generated images and doorbell-style footage, along with prank accounts and parody videos.

In a separate incident tied to the spread of AI-based hoaxes, BBC reported that last year a similar trend involving AI-generated images of homeless men in people’s houses led to police being called.