A Democratic politician in Virginia claimed she is the latest target in a string of racist communications following Donald Trump's election win last week.
On Sunday, newly elected Virginia State Sen. Angelia Williams Graves received an email warning that an "assassination request" was made, resulting in a "force brute hacking system" recording her and her family's conversations and movements. It warned her not to meet the cops or the assassination request would extend to their families.
"Make sure to stay indoors as much as possible from 8:15pm from now on. Do not set any recording devices when we meet. I will advises you to keep this to yourself alone,not a friend or family members," the email read, before requesting $5,000 in bitcoin, adding, "I wasn't sent to negotiate[.]"
Graves said she read the email after church then forwarded its to the Norfolk Police Department and Capitol Police.
Today my office received an email that was a threat on my life. Despite being told not to contact the authorities,that’s EXACTLY what I’ve done. While I’m taking this seriously, let ME be clear, I am NOT the one! I DON’T RUN, I DON’T HIDE & I FIGHT BACK! #FAFO pic.twitter.com/REdIaMqHyz
— Senator Angelia Williams Graves (@AWGNorfolk) November 11, 2024
"But once I did read [the email], it was very unnerving. It angered me. After a few minutes, it just kind of angered me. That somebody would do this and think that they could get away with this, then to think that I would be compliant is another thing, we're not going to be quiet about it. We're not going to be complicit," Graves told WAVY.
She also shared an update about the unfolding incident with her X followers.
"Today my office received an email that was a threat on my life. Despite being told not to contact the authorities,that's EXACTLY what I've done. While I'm taking this seriously, let ME be clear, I am NOT the one! I DON'T RUN, I DON'T HIDE & I FIGHT BACK!," she wrote.
An investigation revealed the message was sent through fake email and IP addressed linked back to Nigeria, but Clark said she is not in a position to take the threat lightly
"The strong belief is that it is a hoax. But for me, again, it's about taking anything that resembles a threat to be to take that seriously, because you just never know," she told WAVY.
Graves said she is not losing her focus around "working really hard to do good work for the citizens of the 21st senatorial district."
"These kinds of things are distractions. Our focus is to do good work on behalf of the citizens. That's where we're going to do that," she told WAVY. "We're going to do it smart. We're going to do it with wisdom. We're going to do it with integrity and love."
Most X users were convinced the senator had fallen for a scam.
"real threats don't start with 'Hello A Graves,'" one X user wrote. "you got a spam email from an overseas scammer."
real threats don't start with "Hello A Graves"
— Virginia Project (@ProjectVirginia) November 11, 2024
you got a spam email from an overseas scammer
Another was "amazed" that "so many folks fall for the bit coin scams" while another said the hoax "has been in circulation for years."
Ha, the fact so many folks fall for the bit coin scams still amazes me.
— Dave Crance (@DaveCrance) November 11, 2024
The fact that the police won’t even attempt an investigation into these is what encourages it.
I’ve seen folks fall for it all up and down the east coast.
While this probably won’t make you feel any better, this type of email has been in circulation for years and is mass emailed to numerous recipients as a scam.
— Shelley Kelly’s Cheese and Jellies (@MainelyGill) November 11, 2024
It has nothing to do with you or your position.
They are hoping at least some of the random recipients will give them $.
A fourth X user suggested the senator turn on her spam filter.
Helpful tip: the Nigerian Prince isn’t real.
— NOVA Campaigns (@NoVA_Campaigns) November 11, 2024
Holy cow, turn your spam filter on.
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