An elderly woman in Salina who thought that she won the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes instead has been scammed.

Salina Police Captain Mike Sweeney says that the woman, who is in her 80s, received a phone call this week telling her that she had won the sweepstakes. In order to receive her prize, the woman was told that she had to send $2,000 to an address in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Sweeney says that the woman did as instructed. She sent $2,000 in cash, via the U.S. Postal Service.

A family member contacted police. The department is working with the post office in an effort to retrieve the envelope, and money, before it reaches its destination.

Police caution citizens to be wary of unsolicited contact regarding winning money or prizes, especially if the winner is required to make some sort of payment in order to receive their winnings.