Pima County Sheriff warns of QR code scam exploiting Nancy Guthrie disappearance

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona issued a public warning that scammers are circulating fraudulent QR codes that request donations tied to the investigation of Nancy Guthrie, the 84‑year‑old mother of NBC Today anchor Savannah Guthrie. The department stressed, “PCSD will never ask for money related to this case, or any investigation,” and urged the public not to send money or scan the codes.

Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home on January 31, 2026, and the case – treated as a possible kidnapping by the FBI and local law enforcement – has drawn national attention. Both the sheriff’s office and the FBI have offered rewards of $1 million and $100,000, respectively, for information leading to her safe return. The investigation has already been targeted by fraudsters, including a California man who pleaded guilty to harassment for sending fake ransom messages demanding Bitcoin. FBI officials have said none of the ransom notes received are believed to be genuine. Sheriff Chris Nanos repeatedly reminded the community to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious QR‑code posts.