Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge has issued a warning to business owners that a significant number of counterfeit $100 bills have been circulating in town.

"The perpetrators are scanning $5 bills and superimposing $100 bills over them," he said. "They are hard to detect, but when you hold them up to the light, you can see Lincoln's face."

Burge said the department is working closely in a joint effort with the United States Secret Service in an effort to catch the counterfeiters. The two agencies conducted a search warrant at a residence on East Front Street this past weekend, but the search came up dry.

"It is believed this operation is being conducted by a group that started doing the same thing in Memphis, Tenn. and has worked its way south," Burge added. "We just want local businesses to be aware of the counterfeit bills and check all $100 bills they receive very carefully."