Scammers pretending to be MS-13 text people graphic photos, personal information

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — "The pictures really added a nice touch to a horrifying scam."

FOX26 News has a horrifying scam to warn you about.

One of our own employees, a Director at FOX26 News, was targeted by the scammers.

Around 10:00 in the morning Friday, Matthew Criswell says he got a call from a number he didn't know.

He ignored it, but then he got a got a text from someone claiming to be with MS-13.

The text has some jumbled accusation of wasting an escort's time, and says the recipient of the text has to pay a fine.

"It didn't tell me what the fine was; it didn't tell me how to send it to him; all it said was if I lose communication, he would send his men," said Criswell.

Right after that, more texts came through, showing pictures, along with Criswell's address.

"They're really graphic pictures. Limbs and bodies. It's not a really great to see."

Another text had a list of his family members: his father, who passed away last year; his brother; his brother's current wife and ex-wife's sister; his late grandparents on his father's side; his father's business partner; and a random person he doesn't know.

"It shook me a little bit. My heart was kind of pounding. And then I started thinking about it and I was like, 'Okay. This is a scam, it has to be.'"

FOX26 News checked, and it looks like this scam has been going on for a while now.

It's shocking to see, but most of that information about family members and addresses is pretty easy to find online.

"If I didn't work in news, and we've done dozens of stories about these scams, it might've freaked me out. I mean, it did freak me out, but I might've responded," said Criswell. "I didn't respond and I'm okay, so I guess it's just a scam."

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