Several people, including children and students, reported receiving messages from unknown phone numbers in recent days.
Complaints have been made in states such as Maryland, New Jersey, Alabama, Michigan and South Carolina. The message tells the person that they have been “selected to pick cotton from a nearby plantation,” according to CNN.
“The FBI is aware of offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals across the country and has contacted the Department of Justice and other federal authorities regarding this matter. “As always, we encourage the public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement,” the FBI said Thursday.
Officials in Washington DC and Virginia have opened investigations.
(source: AFP)
