Crime & Safety

Threat Of 'Mexican Cartel Hit Man' In Basking Ridge Scam: Cops

The resident also received picture messages of "gruesome acts of violence" and a picture of a masked person holding a weapon, police said.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Basking Ridge resident was threatened through text message that a Mexican Cartel hit man would come after them to collect fines, Bernards Township Police said.

At around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday a resident of the 90 block of Independence Drive said they got text messages from an unknown number.

The messages stated a "Mexican Cartel hit man" named Juan Rivera and several of his associates were going to come and collect fines for the resident's usage of an escort service called "City Guide Girl" service, police said.

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Along with the text messages, the resident also received picture messages of "gruesome acts of violence" and a picture of a masked person holding a weapon, police said.

Police said they believe this was "most likely another attempt by scammers who make calls to residents such as grandsons being imprisoned in other states or countries or individuals who claim to be calling from the IRS."

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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