SILER CITY, N.C. -- The Chatham County Sheriff's Office and the FBI are investigating a threatening racist letter sent to a black restaurant owner.

• Andre Chaney of A&I Chicken Shack said he received a letter last week containing racial slurs and threats for him to move his business out of town.
• His post prompted an outpour of support and an influx of customers.
• Some people online question if Chaney used deceptive means to get the boost.

Andre Chaney just opened the A&I Chicken Shack last month in Siler City. He said he received a letter last week containing racial slurs and threats for him to move his business out of town.

"And the letter hurt me personally because I've never had to deal with racism on that type of level," he told Spectrum News.

He then told authorities and posted the letter on social media. His post prompted an outpour of support and an influx of customers. But some people online question if Chaney used deceptive means to get the boost.

Some people on Facebook point out that the letter's author used a slang version of a racial slur that's popular among African-Americans. One even wondered why the author self-identifed himself as a "White Nationalist" instead of putting a specific name or group. Chaney denies any effort to pull publicity stunt. He says he already had enough customers.

"We're overwhelmed now. If anyone wants it to die down, it's us," he said.

Chaney says he welcomes the FBI probe hoping it will lead to answers. He also adds online hackers shut down his restaurant's social media pages.

"You can't install fear or put hatred in a community that's already full of love," he said.

Chaney has also taken extra security measures in light of the letter. He wouldn't say if the letter contained a stamp or if the sender simply put it in the mailbox. He referred Spectrum News to authorities to answer that question.