Big Island police are warning the public about an e-mail scam in which the sender claims to be a paid killer hired to kill the recipient and asks for $4,000 to stop that from happening.

A Hilo woman reported on March 1 that she received such an e-mail.

Police have determined that the e-mail is part of a worldwide scam.

The sender asks for $2,000 immediately and promises to send a tape of his "client" saying he wants the recipient dead. It instructs the recipient to wait for the tape and then pay another $2,000 to prevent the killing.

The letter warns the recipient not to call the police or tell anyone about the e-mail.

Police warn anyone who receives such an e-mail not to respond. Anyone who receives the e-mail and is concerned about it should call Officer Paul Kim at 808-961-2214 or the Police Department's nonemergency number at 808-935-3311.