One of the cheeky news tip offs sent to 7 News. Credit:Four Finger Discount/Facebook

When 7 News Australia's Facebook page was offered images of "a man loitering outside the campus of my university and stealing people's wallets", by someone called "Andrew", the offer was quickly accepted. "Hi Andrew – any information or pictures you'd like to share?" was the 7 News response.

It was then that a can of whuppass worthy of Simpson's school bully, Nelson Muntz, was unleashed. "Andrew" responded with a shot from a Simpson's episode where Muntz was collecting some cash. Criminal? Yes. Funny? Even more so.

But better was to come as this Andrew turned out to be part of a bunch of online comedy vandals who, under different names, began offering more footage of Simpson-inspired "crimes" to 7 News in different cities. A crazed maniac driving a bus outside a school? Here's a shot of Homer behind the wheel. A convenience store hold up? Oh look, it's Apu, hands in the air.

An anomaly in the sky? Tell us! A newly invented car? Send it in! An old man who drove into a house? Want pictures? Wait, not so fast, this isn't a callous news organisation. "Is he ok?" Was the first response from this 7 employee. Quickly – as in within the same post – followed by: "send them on please with a phone number for yourself and the address and time of where it happened. Cheers". It was, you will be shocked to hear, Homer's dotty dad.