The discovery of the word “help,” along with other messages, spelled out on an undeveloped lot in Los Angeles sparked a flurry of conspiracy theories online, particularly regarding human trafficking. Satellite images from Google Earth and Google Maps clearly displayed the words “help,” “LAPD,” “federal,” and “trafico” amidst debris and trash on the property, leading to widespread speculation on social media. The situation gained further traction due to the lot’s proximity to Los Angeles City Hall, fueling concerns about potential criminal activity occurring within the city’s core.
However, the Union Pacific Railroad, the owner of the property, dispelled the rumors, stating that the messages were created by a trespasser approximately a year ago. They emphasized that no one was or is in danger and that the messages were misleading. Union Pacific reiterated the illegality and dangers of trespassing on their property and confirmed the individual responsible also created similar messages on nearby properties. This clarification aimed to reassure the public and curb the spread of misinformation surrounding the incident.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) corroborated Union Pacific’s statement, confirming their awareness of the individual and his activities. The LAPD revealed their multiple interactions with the individual, who has reportedly refused offers of housing and mental health evaluations. Crucially, the LAPD stated that there is no evidence of human trafficking connected to the site, directly addressing the most concerning of the conspiracy theories. They further mentioned that the suspected trespasser has been observed at the location for several years.
Google Street View images, taken in July 2023, reveal the word “help” written on the sidewalk outside the lot, indicating the ongoing nature of the individual’s activities. While Union Pacific clarified that the aerial images were taken a year prior, the recent resurfacing of these images online, and the subsequent attention drawn to them, remains unexplained. The renewed interest appears to be linked to a group of Los Angeles gamers, known as the FaZe Clan, who visited the site and livestreamed their experience, inadvertently adding to the mystery.
The FaZe Clan members, Rani Netz, Nick Fosco, and Jason Nguyen, streamed their visit to the property on January 26, 2024, further amplifying the online buzz. During their livestream, they encountered a hostile individual who instructed them to leave the premises, followed by an incident involving a pack of dogs seemingly chasing them away. This encounter, captured on video and shared online, added another layer of intrigue to the situation and sparked further speculation among social media users. Some interpreted the incident as evidence of something sinister occurring at the site, while others dismissed it as an unrelated event.
Ultimately, the “help” messages and surrounding circumstances highlight the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age and the power of social media to amplify even unsubstantiated claims. While the initial alarm and conspiracy theories were understandable given the unsettling nature of the messages, the official statements from Union Pacific Railroad and the LAPD, coupled with Google Street View imagery, offer a more plausible and less sensational explanation. The incident underscores the importance of verifying information from reputable sources before drawing conclusions and contributing to the spread of potentially harmful rumors. The involvement of the FaZe Clan and their subsequent experience, while adding a dramatic element to the story, ultimately did not reveal any evidence of criminal activity or support the circulating conspiracy theories.