Cyber security specialist and former FBI special agent weigh in on racist texts

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Authorities nationwide are investigating a series of racist text messages sent to several consumers across the country.

The language used in the text is overall discriminatory referring to subjecting people to enslavement and forced labor.

Now law enforcement agencies across the U.S. along with the FBI and the office of the Nevada Attorney General have gotten involved.

“It seems that minorities are receiving this text messages from somewhere that are claiming some very racist comment such as they’ve been assigned to join a plantation and click either a link below which is obviously a phishing link and not just a message alone to cause harm,” said Mack Jackson Jr., owner of Vanderson Cyber Group.

The texts in question all consist of similar verbiage reading, “You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation,” while also providing details for people to pack their belongings saying a representative or “executive slave” will be showing up to pick people up.

“Initially it’s what anyone would say this is a troll there is actually someone out there trolling people. It could be a bot as well or this could be coming from where it’s an automated system, someone puts this racist message and adds it to a bot and AI would then demographically send messages out to people,” Jackson Jr. said.

As authorities work to find out where the texts are coming from, a former FBI special agent says the messages aren’t necessarily a crime.

“It doesn’t appear to me, but the verbiage I think someone probably they are covered by the First Amendment even though it’s disgusting comments and very racist statements it’s basically not against the law. It doesn’t appear to be any type of threat. There doesn’t appear to be any type of motivation for violence or trying to incite violence,” said former FBI Special Agent John Macveigh.

For consumers who have received the texts, specialists say there are some things people can do to mitigate the messages.

“I suggest to everyone no matter what race or color you are to utilize the new law that is in place against data brokers where their information is stored. Have your information removed from these data brokers where they cannot buy information,” Jackson Jr. said.

“I think if you don’t take them seriously you delete them and move on. I think it’s the best thing to do because they are looking for a reaction, they want a reaction, they want somebody to do something, they want somebody to be offended,” Macveigh added.

“The best thing to do is to stay vigilant and again these are trolls that are just utilizing social media and technology to create fear, fear within our society and we should take this very seriously, but don’t be afraid of this just do your due diligence and report it to law enforcement,” Jackson Jr. said.

In addition to the Federal Trade Commission, people can also report the texts to the Nevada Attorney General’s Office.