Key Points:
- Scamanda is a four-part docuseries airing on ABC and streaming on Hulu, exposing the fraudulent cancer scheme of Amanda C. Riley.
- Riley faked a Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis, raising over $100,000 in donations through false claims and manipulated evidence.
- Investigative journalist Nancy Moscatiello and law enforcement uncovered the scam, leading to Riley’s arrest and a five-year prison sentence.
Scamanda Docuseries: Amanda C. Riley’s Fake Cancer Scam Exposed
In 2012, Amanda C. Riley, a young mother and active church member from San Jose, California, claimed she was battling Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She documented her supposed struggle online, creating a blog called Lymphoma Can Suck It and sharing fabricated updates about her treatment. Her story quickly gained traction, leading to an outpouring of financial support from friends, family, and even strangers.
Her brother spearheaded fundraising efforts, launching SupportAmanda.com to collect donations. The campaign resonated with many, garnering attention from celebrities, including country star LeAnn Rimes, who gifted Riley an autographed guitar. Over the years, Riley accumulated over $100,000 in cash and gifts under false pretenses.
However, skepticism grew as some individuals noticed inconsistencies in her story. This led to an extensive investigation, ultimately exposing her deceit.
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How Investigators Uncovered the Scam
One of Riley’s former acquaintances, Lisa Berry, was among the first to question her claims. In 2015, Berry contacted investigative journalist Nancy Moscatiello, who began a deep dive into Riley’s background. Moscatiello’s findings raised multiple red flags, prompting her to alert San Jose police detective Jose Martinez.
Martinez verified Riley’s medical claims by contacting hospitals where she allegedly received treatment. The results were damning—none of the hospitals had records of Riley being a patient. This key discovery paved the way for federal authorities to join the case.
Special Agent Arlette Lyons from the IRS stepped in, focusing on Riley’s financial transactions. Authorities found Riley was soliciting money under false pretenses, constituting wire fraud. Additional evidence revealed she:
- Forged medical records and physicians’ letters.
- Posted misleading images of medications and hospital visits.
- Even shaved her head to imitate chemotherapy side effects.
With overwhelming evidence, Riley was arrested in 2019. In October 2021, she pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.
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Amanda Riley’s Prison Sentence and Ongoing Manipulation
Currently serving a 60-month sentence, Riley has continued displaying deceptive behavior behind bars. Court documents reveal she has been rushed to the hospital over two dozen times, often exaggerating symptoms or manipulating medical readings to seek attention.
Episode 1 of Scamanda features Martinez, who calls Riley “devious” and “smart enough to take it to another level.” The docuseries provides firsthand accounts from those involved in the investigation, shedding light on Riley’s complex web of deception and the meticulous work required to expose her fraud.
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Where to Watch Scamanda
Scamanda premiered on January 30, 2025, on ABC and is available for streaming on Hulu.
Source: ABC and Independent
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