A heartbreaking video showing “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie pleading for her mother’s safe return has exploded across social media, racking up millions of views in just days. In the clip, she appears to say “we will pay” to whoever took her 84-year-old mother Nancy from her Tucson home. The only problem: the entire story is completely fake.

How the Fake Story Spread Like Wildfire

The hoax began circulating widely on Facebook and Instagram last week, with nearly identical posts appearing on dozens of pages. The posts include dramatic details: Nancy Guthrie allegedly vanished from her bed, blood was found on the porch, ransom notes were sent to media outlets, and a California man was even arrested for sending a fake demand.

Many versions include a video of Savannah speaking directly to the camera, tears in her eyes, saying: “We received your message, and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us… This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

The posts quickly went viral, with users tagging friends and sharing in local Arizona groups. Some pages added fake news logos from KOLD, Arizona’s Family, and Gray News to make it look legitimate.

Every Detail Has Been Debunked

Fact-checkers and journalists have torn the story apart in hours.

• Savannah Guthrie has never posted any such video on her verified Instagram or any official account.
• The “plea” video is actually old footage from unrelated Today show segments, cleverly edited and dubbed.
• Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to multiple outlets they have no missing person case involving Nancy Guthrie.
• The FBI Phoenix office stated they are not investigating any kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie’s mother.
• No credible news organization (NBC, CNN, New York Times, AP) has reported this story because it never happened.

Nancy Guthrie is safe and has never been missing.

Why This Particular Hoax Keeps Coming Back

This is not the first time this exact scam has targeted Savannah Guthrie. The same fake kidnapping story surfaced in 2023 and again in early 2024, each time with new “updated” videos and details.

Scammers keep reviving it because it works. The combination of a beloved celebrity, an elderly victim, and a direct plea for help triggers massive emotional engagement. People share without checking, exactly what the scammers want.

Some versions lead to fake GoFundMe pages or cryptocurrency wallet addresses disguised as “ransom payment links.” Others simply drive traffic to ad-heavy websites that earn money from clicks.

The Human Cost of These Cruel Hoaxes

While scammers make money, real people get hurt.

Savannah Guthrie has not publicly commented on this latest wave, but celebrities targeted by similar hoaxes describe it as violating and frightening. Fans flood their mentions with worried messages. Family members receive panicked calls from friends who saw the “news.”

One Today show insider told me off-record: “It’s disgusting that someone would use an 84-year-old woman’s name and a daughter’s love to make a quick buck. Savannah’s mom is fine, but these lies cause real pain.”

Perhaps worst of all, these hoaxes distract from actual missing persons cases that deserve attention.

Red Flags That Instantly Reveal the Fraud

Next time you see a tear-jerking celebrity crisis post, check these signs:

• Is it only on random Facebook pages and not official accounts?
• Are “news” sources you’ve never heard of?
• Does it demand money through crypto or suspicious links?
• Can you find the same story on major news outlets? (If not, it’s probably fake)

Real emergencies involving celebrities are reported by NBC, People, TMZ, and other verified outlets within hours.

This fake Savannah Guthrie kidnapping story is cruel, sophisticated, and sadly effective. But now you know the truth: Nancy Guthrie is safe at home, Savannah never made that video, and the only thing being stolen here is your trust and attention.

If you see this hoax circulating, do everyone a favor: report it and tell people it’s fake. Real families dealing with actual tragedies deserve our shares and support, not fabricated ones designed to scam us.