Locals share theory behind disturbing 'help' message on Google Maps as people try to work out what it means

Eerie 'help' signs spotted in Los Angeles are making people share their theories on why they're there.

There are several of the concerning signs scattered across a site near a waste facility and a shipping container yard in the Californian city that seem to be made from abandoned materials.

Google Maps gives a bird's-eye view of the mystery signs, with some also reading 'LAPD', 'trafico', and 'federals'.

The disturbing images have since gone viral online, sparking some FaZe Clan members to see it for themselves.

But their trip was cut short after they were chased away by a pack of dogs, believed to be owned by some of the homeless people who are staying on the site.

Many questions remain about why the signs are there and who created them.

With this in mind, people online have been sharing their theories. Some have expressed concerns that the signs may have been made by trafficking victims.

Someone on Reddit suggested: "This sounds like someone or a group of someone are being trafficked and used materials available to them to spell out an SOS. I hope if a random person noticed, authorities noticed as well."

They added that if the signs have been done as a joke by someone, then it's in 'dangerously poor taste'.

Another California resident penned: "[It] could be a filming location. It certainly wouldn't be the first time Google has captured a film set.

"There's always a ton of indie films and series being shot around the city, and some of them can look really weird to people who don't know why they exist."

A second theory they put forward read: "We've got a non-trivial street population with addictions and mental issues who occasionally do some really weird sh*t for absolutely no reason at all."

Elsewhere, Twitter user La Guy went and visited the site for himself and documented what he found.

Initially, he suggested that it was a 'prank', but as he got talking to some locals, he came to learn about a guy named José who was experiencing homelessness and needed 'help himself'.

One woman said: "[José's] the one who puts it (help) all the time.

"He writes it everywhere [...] it's been years," she said, though she made clear she didn't know the reason behind why he was writing the messages.

In an update shared yesterday (January 27), LA Guy said he may have got his hands on a cell phone number for José.

"I have what MIGHT be his phone number," he tweeted. "If it’s not I’m still gonna track him down via those homeless people."

LA Guy added: "I am in contact with the owner of an adjacent lot they will give me full access as well as interviews with their workers to see if they know anything."

The saga continues...