TUCSON, Ariz. — A retired FBI agent who has commented publicly on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie says she received fake bitcoin ransom demands containing a disturbing image meant to look like the missing woman. She warned that scammers may be trying to exploit people following the case.

Jennifer Coffindaffer, a retired FBI special agent, told NewsNation that she received the emails in April but initially kept quiet and reported them only to the FBI. She said she decided to speak out after learning that Lauren Serpa, a neighbor of Guthrie's, had received a similar message.

"That's the reason I wanted to come forward because I was concerned that now other people might be contacted and might fall for the ploy," Coffindaffer said.

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson more than eight months ago. Investigators believe she was abducted. No suspects have been named.

Coffindaffer said the emails demanded payment in bitcoin and included an image that appeared to show Guthrie in distress.

"I am concerned that other people that are following the Nancy Guthrie case, concerned about her, could be lured to make a deposit," she said. "Because they send this picture, it showed a likeness of Nancy shaved with dirt on her face, looking very hurt and with a tear coming down her eye."

She said the........

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