Josefine Bagger Sommerlund
A selection of pranks that go well beyond harmless fun.
Others are reading now
Some April Fools’ jokes don’t land the way you expect.
Here are a few that are worth thinking twice about – they could have legal consequences.
1: Fake Bomb Threat
“There’s a bomb at City Hall – April Fools!”
→ Taken extremely seriously. Bomb threats can lead to criminal charges and prison time.
2: Pranking 911
“My friend is unconscious… April Fools!”
→ Misusing emergency services is a crime and can result in fines or jail time.
3: Fake Letters from the IRS or Police
“You owe $11,000 – pay within 24 hours”
→ Could be considered forgery or fraud. Impersonating authorities is not a joke.
4: Pretending to Be a Police Officer
“I’m pulling people over as a prank – just for fun!”
→ Wearing a uniform or acting like law enforcement is illegal and highly risky.
5: Fake Job Terminations
“You’re fired. April Fools.”
→ If you’re a manager, this could be considered harassment or breach of contract — and might lead to legal action.
6: Hacking Someone’s Account ‘for fun’
“Logged into their social media and posted something wild.”
→ Without permission, it’s unauthorized access and a violation of privacy laws.
7: Faking Illness or Death
“Hey babe… I have cancer. Just kidding, April Fools.”
→ Could cause serious emotional harm or trigger emergency calls — not something to take lightly.
8: Anonymous “Suspicious Package” Prank
Sending a box with wires or white powder to a friend or workplace
→ Can lead to evacuation and full-scale police response — a very serious offense.
9: Pretending to Be a Doctor or Therapist
“We got your test results — you’ve been diagnosed with…”
→ Falsely presenting yourself as a medical professional can have legal and psychological consequences.
10: Filing a Fake Police Report on Someone
“I reported you for shoplifting – just messing with you!”
→ Filing a false report is a criminal offense and could lead to heavy fines or worse.
