The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public about a new scam connected to the case of Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie.
On Tuesday, July 14, more than five months after Nancy was purportedly abducted from her home near Tucson, Ariz., officials released a statement about fake QR codes that claim to be tied to the investigation.
New warning
“The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is aware of posts circulating about the Guthrie Investigation that include a QR code requesting money,” authorities said. “PCSD will never ask for money related to this case, or any investigation.”
The department advised the public to avoid sending money to strangers or scanning “QR codes requesting payment.”
Stay alert
Authorities also asked the public to report any suspicious posts they see, warning people to “ignore it” and “stay alert and help spread the word.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told People that officials issued the warning after a truck was seen driving around Tucson with an AI-altered image of a masked woman asking the public to help with the investigation.
Prior scams
It’s not the first time scammers have targeted the case.
Earlier this month, Derrick Callella, a man from California, pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunications device.
According to officials, Callella admitted to contacting Nancy’s family on February 4 about a bitcoin transfer.
“Callella acknowledged that he knew an earlier ransom demand had been made. Callella also admitted that his actions were meant to harass the family by seeking information about the investigation into the missing person’s disappearance,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release.
Ransom notes
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has been leading the investigation into Nancy’s disappearance since the case began, with assistance from the FBI.
Footage from Nancy’s doorbell camera showed a masked person at her home early on February 1.
Despite months of searching, no suspects have been named or arrested.
Over the course of the investigation, authorities have received “several ransom notes.”
While some “have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy,” the FBI’s Phoenix office said others “may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such.”