Salem Township, PA -- A Washington County woman is facing criminal charges after state police said she attempted to desposit a fraudulent check that was acquired through a Westmoreland County business. 

State police initiated an investigation in April after being contacted by Five Points Fleet Service in Salem Township. 

The owner of the business relayed to troopers that a check worth $19,800 was flagged by his bank as fraudulent. 

The business owner said the check matched the accounting and routing number, but it did not match the format of his checks. 

The check was issued to Debra Shearer who was unknown to the victim. 

Over the course of the investigation, troopers learned the check was deposited at a bank branch in McMurray by Debra Shearer, 60. 

The bank relayed to Shearer that the check was flagged as fraudulent soon after the deposit, resulting in her account being frozen, and the funds not being released. 

Troopers contacted Shearer and inquired about the check. 

Shearer allegedly admitted to depositing the check into her account at the request of a love interest she met on TikTok. 

She told police she was in a romantic relationship with the man, and he instructed her to deposit the check, send him the funds and in return, she will receive a sum of the money. 

Shearer told troopers she received the check via FedEx, believed it was fraudulent, but deposited it anyway. 

A search warrant was executed for Shearer's financial records and troopers confirmed Shearer deposited the check into her account. 

Shearer is facing a charge of theft by deception.

No charges have been filed against the man who allegedly provided the check and instructions to Shearer. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.