More than five months after Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona, home, authorities are warning the public about a new scam exploiting the high-profile investigation.
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On July 14, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department announced that fake QR codes requesting donations have been circulating online and in public, falsely claiming to support the search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother.
Officials stressed that the sheriff’s department will never ask the public for money in connection with this case or any criminal investigation. They urged people not to scan suspicious QR codes or send money to unknown individuals, advising anyone who encounters the fraudulent posts to ignore them and report them immediately.
Sheriff Chris Nanos told PEOPLE that the warning was issued after a truck was seen driving around Tucson displaying an AI-generated image of a masked woman alongside a QR code asking for financial contributions related to the case.
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The scam follows another recent attempt to exploit the investigation. Earlier this month, California resident Derrick Callella pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment after admitting he sent calls and text messages to Nancy Guthrie’s family involving a fake Bitcoin transfer shortly after her disappearance.
Nancy, 84, was abducted from her Tucson home during the early morning hours of Feb. 1. Investigators recovered doorbell camera footage showing a masked intruder entering the property, but despite months of investigation by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, no official suspects have been identified or arrested.
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie recently returned to the Today show after a scheduled summer break. PEOPLE previously confirmed that her brief absence was unrelated to her mother’s case.
During an emotional live appearance in June, Savannah pleaded directly with viewers for help, saying her family continues to desperately seek answers. Fighting back tears, she urged anyone with credible information to contact investigators, emphasizing that someone may know something that could help bring the case closer to a resolution.
Authorities continue to describe the investigation as active and encourage the public to report legitimate tips while remaining alert to scams attempting to profit from the family’s tragedy.
