State police allege a Washington County woman deposited a check she believed was fraudulent after being instructed by an online love interest.
SALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — What began as an online romance on TikTok has ended with criminal charges after Pennsylvania State Police said a Washington County woman deposited a fraudulent check for nearly $20,000 at the direction of a man she met online.
The investigation began in April after Five Points Fleet Service, located at 7319 Route 22 in Salem Township, contacted state police about a suspicious check.
According to investigators, the business owner told troopers a check for $19,800 had been flagged as fraudulent by the company’s bank. While the check contained the business’s accounting and routing numbers, police said it did not match the format of legitimate company checks.
The check had been issued to Debra Shearer, who the business owner said was unknown to the company.
During the investigation, troopers determined the check had been deposited by Shearer, 60, at a bank branch in McMurray.
Police said the bank quickly identified the check as fraudulent, froze Shearer’s account and prevented the funds from being released.
According to court documents, Shearer told investigators she deposited the check at the request of a man she met on TikTok, whom she believed to be her romantic partner.
Troopers allege the man instructed Shearer to deposit the check, send him the money and keep a portion of the funds for herself.
Police said Shearer admitted she believed the check was fraudulent but deposited it anyway after receiving it through FedEx.
Investigators later obtained a search warrant for Shearer’s financial records, which they said confirmed the deposit.
Shearer has been charged with theft by deception.
No charges have been filed against the man who allegedly sent the check or provided the instructions.
The charge against Shearer is an allegation, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- State police charged a Washington County woman with theft by deception.
- Investigators allege she deposited a fraudulent $19,800 check sent by an online romantic interest she met on TikTok.
- Police said the bank detected the fraud, froze the account and prevented any money from being released.
