Man Arrested Over Fake Bitcoin Ransom Demand to Guthrie Family
A suspect in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, a mother from Arizona, has been charged with sending fake text messages demanding Bitcoin from her family members, according to a federal complaint filed on Wednesday.
Derrick Callella allegedly sent a series of texts to Savannah and Ian Guthrie, Nancy's daughter and son-in-law, claiming that they had not received the bitcoin as promised. The texts were reportedly sent two days after a local Tucson media outlet received a ransom demand listing a Bitcoin wallet address. The family members published a video online asking their mother's kidnappers to contact them.
An investigation found that Callella used an app to create a fake phone number and tracked it to an email associated with him. He later admitted to sending the text messages in an attempt to gauge the family's response. However, authorities have linked him to the transmission of a demand for ransom using a telecommunication device.
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke issued a warning on Thursday following Callella's arrest, stating that those trying to profit from the situation will be investigated and held accountable. The agency emphasized that any action taken on a ransom is ultimately decided by the family.
Savannah Guthrie addressed the reports of a ransom letter in a video message with her siblings, urging the kidnappers to make contact if they are willing to cooperate. "As a family, we are doing everything that we can," she said. "We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her."
The Guthrie family has been the subject of widespread attention and concern since Nancy's disappearance on Sunday. The investigation into her case continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
A suspect in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, a mother from Arizona, has been charged with sending fake text messages demanding Bitcoin from her family members, according to a federal complaint filed on Wednesday.
Derrick Callella allegedly sent a series of texts to Savannah and Ian Guthrie, Nancy's daughter and son-in-law, claiming that they had not received the bitcoin as promised. The texts were reportedly sent two days after a local Tucson media outlet received a ransom demand listing a Bitcoin wallet address. The family members published a video online asking their mother's kidnappers to contact them.
An investigation found that Callella used an app to create a fake phone number and tracked it to an email associated with him. He later admitted to sending the text messages in an attempt to gauge the family's response. However, authorities have linked him to the transmission of a demand for ransom using a telecommunication device.
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke issued a warning on Thursday following Callella's arrest, stating that those trying to profit from the situation will be investigated and held accountable. The agency emphasized that any action taken on a ransom is ultimately decided by the family.
Savannah Guthrie addressed the reports of a ransom letter in a video message with her siblings, urging the kidnappers to make contact if they are willing to cooperate. "As a family, we are doing everything that we can," she said. "We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her."
The Guthrie family has been the subject of widespread attention and concern since Nancy's disappearance on Sunday. The investigation into her case continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
... like what's the point of even having these fake ransom demand messages? Can't people just report them and be done with it? It's not like it's gonna solve anything, just wasting everyone's time and energy 
. And now Derrick Callella's trying to play dumb, saying he was just testing the family's response... un believable 
. The FBI's got a point though, they should totally crack down on these fake ransom scammers 
. It's not right that people are profiting off some poor woman's disappearance 
. Can't we just focus on finding Nancy and getting her back to her family already?! 
this is so twisted I can't even imagine what it would be like for those family members to get fake texts saying their mom was supposed to receive bitcoin but didn't 
and the fact that Derrick Callella sent them multiple times trying to see how they'd react?
that's just sickening. I'm glad the authorities are taking this seriously and warning people not to fall for it, especially with all the fake news and scams going around nowadays 
I know it sounds far out, but come on, have u guys noticed how fast the FBI jumped in and started warning people about this guy? feels like they were waiting 4 him to slip up so they could swoop in and make an example out of him...
my heart goes out to the Guthrie family, it's just so devastating to think that someone would take advantage of a situation like this... they're already going through so much pain and uncertainty about their mom's disappearance, and now this fake ransom demand thing is just another layer of stress and fear 
. I can only imagine how hard it must be for them to even try to stay positive and hopeful while the investigation unfolds... I wish Derrick Callella all the best in his future endeavors, but not at the expense of someone's well-being 
. Anyways, my thoughts are with the Guthrie family during this incredibly tough time 
like, what a lowlife! He thought he could just use tech to manipulate them and get away with it? Newsflash: law enforcement is on to you, buddy! 
FBI Special Agent Janke is warning others that they'll be investigated too if they try to exploit this situation. It's all about holding people accountable for their actions. The Guthrie family's been through enough already; no one deserves to be taken advantage of like this. 
it's like he's trying to make a sick profit off someone else's tragedy... and the worst part is, he thought he could just test the family by seeing how they'd react 
and then gets caught because of some basic phone tracking skills? like come on, dude. The FBI should totally give him a life sentence for wasting everyone's time with his silly game. And can we please get back to finding out what really happened to Nancy Guthrie already?! this whole situation is getting old 
She's all about keeping it real and hoping for the best. But seriously, this whole thing is super concerning. The FBI needs to get to the bottom of this ASAP 
. This case just got way too complicated, like a plot from an Alfred Hitchcock movie 
. Can't wait to see how it all plays out!
Anyway, the fact that they used an app to create a fake phone number and tracked it to an email account associated with him is pretty interesting... I wonder if there's more to this story than meets the eye 
. And what's up with the FBI issuing a warning about those trying to profit from the situation? Are they worried people will try to take advantage of a family in distress? 
Can anyone provide some sources on this case, I need to fact-check it 
. The real question is, what's really going on with Nancy's disappearance? That's the mystery that needs solving 
. Let's keep it real, people 
.
Derrick Callella is literally a monster for doing that to them!! He tried to take advantage of their pain and use it to make a buck off fake Bitcoin ransom demands... like, what kind of sicko does that? 
The FBI needs to take down people like Callella ASAP and put an end to these fake ransom demands once and for all! 
it's crazy how Callella was able to track down an email address linked to him and create a fake phone number using an app 
anyway, the stats say that only 5% of ransom payments result in the safe release of the victim 
I mean, FBI Agent Heith Janke is right though, those who try to profit from this situation will be looked into... But honestly, can't we just focus on finding Nancy Guthrie and bringing her home safely? 
Derrick Callella is just sick! sending fake texts to the Guthrie fam demanding bitcoin and pretending to be someone who knows the mom's situation? that's so wrong 
. and now they're trying to get away with it by saying he was just testing them? like, no way dude! you're not fooling anyone. i'm glad the FBI is on top of this case and will make sure the person responsible pays for their messed up actions 
. The Guthrie family needs to get some real help ASAP 
he tried to scam the Guthrie fam by sending fake texts about ransom demands, but his plan got exposed when they caught wind of it. i mean, who tries to make money off someone's disappearance? that's just sick