Amanda Riley, once a sympathetic figure in the public eye, meticulously crafted a false narrative of battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, soliciting thousands of dollars in donations from compassionate individuals across the nation. This elaborate deception, which unfolded over several years, became the subject of the ABC docuseries “Scamanda,” a title derived from a popular podcast chronicling the investigation into her fraudulent activities. Riley’s carefully constructed facade of illness ultimately crumbled under scrutiny, revealing a calculated scheme driven by financial gain.
Riley’s manipulative tactics began with the creation of a blog titled “Lymphoma Can Suck It,” where she documented her alleged struggle with cancer, sharing poignant images of herself seemingly undergoing treatment, connected to IV drips. The blog included a link to a donation page, where unsuspecting individuals contributed to her supposed medical expenses, some reaching exorbitant sums of $10,000 per month. Riley leveraged social media platforms and online auctions, even selling a guitar signed by country music star LeAnn Rimes, to further bolster her fundraising efforts. This carefully orchestrated campaign successfully garnered substantial financial support, preying on the empathy and generosity of those moved by her fabricated story.
The unraveling of Riley’s deception began in 2015 with an anonymous tip received by investigative producer Nancy Moscatiello. Partnering with British broadcaster Charlie Webster, Moscatiello embarked on a thorough investigation, uncovering inconsistencies in Riley’s narrative and revealing a prior legal battle involving her husband, Cory, and his ex-wife over custody of their daughter. The investigation revealed discrepancies in Riley’s blog posts regarding medical treatments, raising suspicion and prompting a deeper examination of her claims. Further investigation brought to light a pattern of manipulation and deceitful behavior.
The mounting evidence gathered by Moscatiello led to police involvement in 2015. Riley responded by accusing Moscatiello of colluding with her husband’s ex-wife. In 2016, a formal police investigation was launched, culminating in a raid on Riley’s residence. By 2020, Riley faced charges of wire fraud for deceiving donors and falsifying information in bankruptcy court documents. Initially pleading not guilty, she later changed her plea after one charge was dropped.
In May 2022, Amanda Riley was sentenced to five years in prison for her elaborate cancer hoax, a sentence she is currently serving in Texas. The court ordered her to pay restitution exceeding $105,000 and imposed three years of supervised release following her incarceration. Even within the confines of prison, allegations persist that Riley continues to feign illness, with reports of numerous ambulance trips to hospitals during her first two years of incarceration, suggesting a persistent pattern of manipulative behavior.
The “Scamanda” podcast, documenting the investigation by Moscatiello and Webster, achieved remarkable popularity, becoming the most popular new podcast on Apple Podcasts in 2023. An accompanying ABC docuseries further explored Riley’s deception, featuring interviews with victims, including her stepdaughter, who provided insights into the emotional toll of the betrayal. The series also examined the suspicion raised by former friends who questioned Riley’s spending habits following their financial contributions. While expressing remorse during her sentencing hearing, Riley acknowledged the devastating consequences of her actions, the irrevocable damage to her relationships, and the loss of her career. The “Scamanda” docuseries provides a comprehensive account of Riley’s meticulously planned deception, its devastating impact on those she manipulated, and the eventual exposure of her fraudulent narrative.
