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MILWAUKEE - The signs are all over, "we buy gold" or "cash for gold."

But Milwaukee Police suspect not everyone is playing by the rules.

After a two month investigation, police believe they found possible "evidence of illegal gold purchases" at three local gold buyers, according to search warrants filed in Milwaukee county court.

Investigators believe crooks stole gold and then sold it to south side stores with few questions asked.

Under state law, you have to ask for a person's identification and properly document the transaction.

We're not identifying the stores because they haven't been charged with any crime, but officers continue to investigate.

"We always ask for a photo I.D., particular a driver's license," said Vivian Anton, owner of Paul's Jewelers in West Allis.

Anton's store is one of the gold buyers following the law.

She not only asks for identification, she makes you fill out a questionnaire and she says she keeps the gold for 21 days to make sure it's not stolen.

"We try to prevent anything that might be wrong in the transaction," said Anton.

What are the three stores on the south side doing?

We tried to ask them but they refused to talk us on camera. One of the stores told us off camera they do ask for an identification but wouldn't go into any of the allegations.

Meantime, back at Paul's Jewelers, customer Ron Seidl is trying to sell his gold and is selling some advice along with it.

"You have to do your homework," Seidl said. "You have to ask the right questions."