Mysterious 'help' signs captured on Google Earth spark major concern online

Usually, a wander around Google Earth will be to look at your uni mate’s house or to figure out what random bar you stumbled into the other night.

But one area has sparked major concern online as people have spotted mysterious ‘help’ signs.

An empty lot in downtown Los Angeles has gone viral after a screenshot was shared to X in recent days.

Google Earth images show the word ‘HELP’ repeatedly written in the dirt as well as ‘trafico’ and ‘LAPD’.

Racking up millions of views, conspiracy theories soon began over what was going down there as locals were quick to provide an explanation.

Despite there being huge concern on social media over the unsettling image, police haven’t been able to verify any crimes that could connect to the ‘help’ messages.

On Sunday (26 January) morning, a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) spokesperson said the force had responded to an ‘unknown trouble’ call near the 101 Freeway and Mission Road.

"Upon arrival, officers conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence of any criminal activity or threat in the area," a statement to The LA Times explained. Officers also added that the messages spotted on Google Earth were from 2023 and that they had notified Union Pacific Railroad

However, local news station KTLA sent out a helicopter crew for its news report, finding the words were still on the ground on Monday (29 January).

So, as was a given with such a viral theory online, one person said they went over to the area where they found a number of homeless people.

X user ‘LAguy310’ spoke to people there and claimed: “OK so apparently Jose is writing all the HELP signs.” They claimed a homeless man had been writing these alarming messages in the dirt for many years.

Has anyone figured out what is happening in LA with these HELP signs, keep hearing tons of different story’s seems very concerning?@FBI looking into this? pic.twitter.com/n8t17bW8oH

— LJT (@FormYtp) January 26, 2025

And the official LAPD Central Division account responded, shutting down the conspiracy theories floating about.

“We’ve had several different contacts with the individual you speak of. He has refused housing or a mental health evaluation,” it wrote.

“There is no evidence of Human Trafficking. He has been at the location for a few years.”

Union Pacific also backed this up as a statement to LADbible explained: “A man trespassed on Union Pacific and other nearby properties to repeatedly create these misleading messages.

“We do know the individual that creates these, does so on neighbouring properties as well.”

The company also echoed that there was no evidence to suggest someone was in danger.

LADbible has contacted the LAPD for comment.