Big Island police are are warning the public about a lottery scam after a Pahoa woman reported Monday that she received a letter claiming to be from the accounting manager of "Fantastic Worldwide Sweepstakes and Lotteries."

The letter claims the recipient has won $250,000 in a lottery drawing held in Las Vegas. Included in the envelope is a bogus check for $3,950, supposedly so the recipient can pay for "insurance fees."

The letter instructs the recipient to call a phone number to confirm that she has received the check.

Police have confirmed that the letter is a scam and advise anyone else who receives such a letter not to respond.