DAYTON, Ohio -- A new email scam is targeting churches.

The email, whose sender claims to be a widow from the Philippines, asks for churches to accept $7.3 million as a charitable donation. The sender asks for the money to go to "orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained."

Dayton police said the email is a scam. Officers said anyone who receives an email of this nature should contact the authorities. Police said anyone who responds to the email will likely be asked for their bank account number, and their personal funds could be cleaned out.

Investigators said crimes like this are often hard to solve because of international ties. Police said you should never open an email from someone who you do not know.