The Tempe Police Department is investigating a scam that could potentially have additional victims across the Valley.
Police said the duo, Megan Tedrow and John Elovich, would go door to door, walking through Phoenix-area neighborhoods.
"It was hitting up anyone they could get money from," said Sgt. Dale Hoobler with the Tempe Police Department.
Victims said the two would claim to be college students selling magazines for charity, and police said they gave receipts out to their victims.
Those receipts had a name of the company, whom the suspects claim to work for.
Investigators said those companies had no idea they were being used as part of the scam.
"The companies referenced are legit companies that do magazine sales for charities, but what groups do is use that as a legit background for what they were doing," said Hoobler.
Hoobler said the department started to notice similar cases pop up. Each time, the victims were asked to donate.
The suspects promised them a refund if they take the receipt to Barnes and Noble.
Police didn’t figure out who the duo was until they made a critical mistake.
The suspected scam artists took a “selfie” with one of their victims right after he donated $200.
With a face and name, research showed both suspects might be linked to similar scams across the nation.
When Tedrow was arrested, she confessed to everything.
"She admitted doing it. She admitted to defrauding people," said Hoobler.
She told investigators she went out every day between the months of July and November to Valley cities. Her goal was to scam at least one person a day.
Police said if you are approached by someone promising a refund of your donation, it should raise some red flags that it is a scam.
Tempe police said they believe there are more victims out there and hope they come forward. Embed: