Nancy Guthrie case: FBI determines some ransom notes were 'extortion attempts without legitimacy'

TUCSON, Ariz. - Officials with the FBI say some of the ransom notes that have been received in the Nancy Guthrie case have been deemed fake.

What we know:

Per a statement released on the afternoon of July 1, FBI officials in Arizona said some of the notes "have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy."

"Other ransom demands may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such," read a portion of the brief statement. "This case continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom case.""

The backstory:

On June 30, news agency Reuters published an exclusive report, stating that federal investigators have determined that at least three ransom notes, two from early February and one that was described as "more recent" and from someone who claims to know the kidnappers' identities, are determined to be fake.

Per Reuters' report, the FBI tested the authenticity of the first ransom note by following instructions and deposit "a small amount of cryptocurrency" in an account. The money was never taken.

Dig deeper:

The sender of the third note, received by TMZ, claimed to have video of the "main guy" responsible for Guthrie's kidnapping. In the email, the sender claimed to have a phone in a secure location containing videos, photos, names, and ages of the suspects.

"I have a phone stashed in a secure location guaranteeing both the information it stores and the safety of the phone," the sender wrote in the email. "What it contains is my definition of delivering them on a silver platter, a short video of the main guy with nancy the day that was probably her last, pictures of both involved, names and addresses and age."

TMZ says they've received several emails following Guthrie's disappearance, including one that they said was a "highly sophisticated" demand seeking bitcoin. TMZ added that all notes they received were sent to the FBI.

Timeline:

The Pima County Sheriff's Department says Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, was dropped off at her home on the evening of Jan. 31. Guthrie was reported missing the following day by family members after she failed to show up at church. 

Since her disappearance, PCSD and the FBI have released footage of Nancy's alleged abductor at her doorstep.

What you can do:

A reward of over $1 million is being offered by Nancy's family and the FBI for her safe recovery. Anyone with information should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has also set up a tipline where the community can submit information. An online form is available for tips.

Map of the area where Nancy Guthrie was last seen: