An 85-year-old Dexter woman has reportedly been scammed out of about $250,000 in the last two years, according to Sheriff Terese Amazi.

Amazi said the woman has sent money to Panama, Nigeria and Jamaica as a response to fake claims that she won an international lottery.

The most recent incident was reported by the woman’s bank on Oct. 21 when the woman reportedly sent $57,000 to Panama. The woman told officers she received a letter stating she won an international lottery and needed to send $57,000 to cover the lottery taxes so she could collect her winnings.

Sheriff’s detectives have tried to prevent the woman from sending any more money after she fell victim to past scams, but she has not cooperated with the detective’s request to call him when she receives fraudulent letters.

Amazi said it’s important to be aware of scams similar to this and to always be sure your money is being sent to a trusted source.