NORTON COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a counterfeit scheme that occurred at a local business in Norton.

An unknown individual presented what appeared to be fifty-dollar bills to make a purchase totaling $600.00 on Friday, according to a social media report.

When the cash was deposited at a local financial institution it was discovered that the bills were counterfeit, according to Norton Chief of Police Ron Ridley.

The bills had been “washed” which is a process used by counterfeiters to remove the pigment from a real bill then print another denomination over the washed bill, according to Ridley.

The bills that were presented were actually ten-dollar bills and when checked by a cashier using a counterfeit maker, they show that they are real currency.

It’s only apparent that they are a fake when other security features are examined.

Ridley reminded that it’s always a good idea to check the other security features when taking currency.

Domestically the twenty-dollar bill is denomination that is most often counterfeited, while internationally it is the one hundred dollar bill.

Norton Police will be attempting to identify the involved individual or individuals and have been in contact with the United States Secret Service in regard to this case.