CHARLOTTE, N.C. — People across multiple states are reporting receiving racist text messages from an unknown source that ask them to report to a plantation to pick cotton. It arrived on people's phones a day after Election Day.
The text messages vary slightly in wording and come from different numbers, but it is generally worded as such:
Greetings,
You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. Be ready at 12 pm sharp with your belongings. Our executive slaves will come get you in a brown van. Be prepared to be searched down once you've enter the plantation. You are in plantation group W.
WCNC Charlotte received reports of many people getting the text message themselves in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
Clemson University released the following statement in response to the reports of the text message going to various students:
The Clemson University Police Department (CUPD) has received reports of students receiving text messages containing disparaging language from unrecognized numbers. These numbers have been determined to be associated with online spoofing sites. CUPD is actively investigating the matter and working with state partners to identify the source of the messages. Based on the information available, there is currently no indication of a credible threat to members of the Clemson community. CUPD takes all reports of concerning communication seriously and is committed to the safety of the University community. If you receive suspicious messages from a number you do not recognize, report it to CUPD by calling 864-656-2222.
Even the Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares responded to the texts, saying "The Attorney General's Office is aware of these text messages and unequivocally condemns them. Anyone who believes themselves to be under threat should not hesitate to contact local law enforcement and their local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (or 1-800-225-5324) or visiting FBI.gov/tips."
WCNC Charlotte called the multiple numbers listed on the text messages, but no one answered and nothing could be found on public records searches for the numbers, either.
Authorities ask people to report them as they get them. WCNC Charlotte asked the South Carolina Attorney General's Office about the reports, and their communications director said the office hasn't received reports of it, so they were unaware of the texts. However, the office clarified that South Carolina doesn't have a hate crime law, so even if it had received reports, the office wouldn't handle it and, instead, would refer reports to the Department of Justice.
The North Carolina Attorney General's Office confirmed to WCNC Charlotte on Thursday it was working to track down the source of the texts. The office offered the following statement:
Our office is working with federal and industry partners to investigate the source of these robotexts. We encourage North Carolinians who receive these abusive messages to report them to our office (1-877-5-NO-SCAM or ncdoj.gov/complaint) and/or local law enforcement.