Big Island police are warning the public about an e-mail scam targeting elderly residents.

Someone apparently hacked into the e-mail account of a member of the National Veterans Network, sending e-mails under the member’s name to Big Island residents planning to attend a Medal of Honor ceremony for 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team veterans.

The bogus e-mail claims that the message sender had her bag stolen in London and needed to borrow money to pay her bills. It asks the recipient to respond by e-mail or call one of two telephone numbers.

Police advise anyone who may have received the bogus e-mail not to reply to it or call the telephone numbers given.