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It's a money-making scheme: Buy a bottle in Ohio and return it in Michigan for a ten cent deposit.

But according to new legislation being discussed amoung Michigan lawmakers, soon, offenders even attempting the scheme could face jail time.

Currently, Michigan law only punishes those who have actually returned fraudulant bottles or cans. But if the new bill is passed, it would punish anyone who even tries to return fraudulant bottles or cans.

Grocery employees at stores along the Michigan-Ohio border tell WNWO they've been the targets for fraudulant returns, and have installed new scanner bottle return machines and inspect the labels to help eliminate the crime.

"It impacts us a lot because we don't get that credit back right away, so that ties up a lot of our money," said Anthony Matthews of the new Food Town in Lambertville. "If illegals do get through, then that's money lost as well as money lost to the state. So everybody loses."

Matthews says the staff explains the law to recyclers, posts notices, and even gives first warnings.

"If we see them come in again and they try to do the same thing, then we know something's up," said Matthews. "If it becomes a problem, and it's up to management, we call the police."

According to the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers, fraudulant returns cost the state nearly 8 million dollars per year. If the new bill is passed, it could cost those attempting fraud prison time and fines. A second conviction would add jail time of up to 93 days. And trying to return 10,000 or more nonreturnable containers would be a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

"Just the penalties themselves will make people think twice about taking something that's good for the community," said Matthews. "And not turning it into 'let's make easy money.'"

The Michigan House committee did not vote on the bill yet.