HILLSBORO, Ore. – Jessica Carney, 19, always thought she’d be a good mystery shopper, it sounded like the perfect job.

So when she was hired by a Canadian company call Shoppers Research, Inc., and she received a check for $5,000, Carney thought her dream was coming true.

But it quickly turned into a nightmare of deception and has left her thousands of dollars in debt.

Everything looked like it was on the level - until her bank called to inform Carney that the $5,000 check was bogus and she was on the hook for over $4,000 she had wired back to Canada.

Her account is now frozen, overdrawn by a total of over $5,000.

Carney had wired two large payments back to two separate people from funds drawn on the $5,000 she had deposited in her account. Then she went shopping, followed the company’s instructions and filled out evaluation forms.

It all appears to be a scam. When Carney called Shoppers Research in Canada while KATU News talked to her about the story, the phone is answered, but when she reveals who she is, the line goes dead.

Carney said wiring the money did not raise any red flags to her. She said she does not know how she will recoup the funds or pay back the bank.

Fraud investigators told KATU News that the "mystery shopper" scam is widespread and effective, taking in nearly half a million dollars in 2007. They said it was one of the top three scams they see.

Wells Fargo is looking into the transaction.