The captivating and thought-provoking podcast, “Scamanda,” delves into the astonishing tale of blogger Amanda C. Riley and her elaborate deceit of pretending to have cancer. Over the course of seven years, Riley cunningly convinced 349 donors to contribute over $100,000 towards her fictitious medical treatments. It’s a story that exemplifies the depths of human deception.
Back in 2012, Amanda Christine Riley embarked on her fraudulent journey by creating the blog “Lymphoma Can Suck It.” As a young woman diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, she chronicled her supposed battle with the aggressive form of cancer. Her compelling narrative garnered immense sympathy from friends, acquaintances, and even celebrities who generously donated funds towards her medical expenses.
However, the truth eventually came to light – Riley never had cancer. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) special agent Arlette Lee filed a criminal complaint in July 2020, revealing how Riley exploited the guise of illness to swindle unsuspecting individuals out of significant sums of money. Charlie Webster’s gripping podcast, “Scamanda,” delves deep into the web of lies spun by Riley. It incorporates firsthand accounts from Riley’s victims, journalists, and law enforcement officers involved in the investigation.
According to the complaint, Riley, a former teacher and principal, successfully deceived individuals from various walks of life, including a mega-church, friends, coworkers, and even the renowned singer LeAnn Rimes. Together, her victims contributed more than $100,000 to purportedly aid Riley and her family in covering the costs of non-existent cancer treatments and extravagant travel experiences before her alleged demise.
Riley implemented a manipulative strategy, regularly proclaiming her imminent demise on her blog. Yet, she would miraculously experience a “terminal miracle” that temporarily put her cancer into remission, resulting in an emotionally charged rollercoaster for her followers. She shamelessly declared that her pregnancy had miraculously reversed her cancer, only for it to inevitably resurface.
According to the Department of Justice, Riley managed to amass at least 349 donations exceeding $105,000 during her seven-year-long scheme. However, justice eventually caught up with her.
So, what became of Riley? While her story lacks any miraculous resolution, the legal consequences she faced became significant landmarks in the annals of justice. Amanda C. Riley’s fraudulent activities received appropriate punishment.
The unraveling of Riley’s deceit would not have been possible without the determined efforts of investigative producer Nancy Moscatiello. Acting on an anonymous tip in 2019, Moscatiello embarked on an extensive investigation. Riley, unsurprisingly, attempted to retaliate by suing Moscatiello for civil harassment, but the lawsuit was promptly dismissed by the presiding judge.
Moscatiello, motivated by her personal connection to cancer, persisted in her pursuit of truth. She painstakingly verified Riley’s claims by contacting hospitals and clinics she alleged to have received treatment from, scrutinizing the photos shared on Riley’s blog, and collecting substantial evidence. Eventually, she shared her findings with Jose Martinez, a retired detective specializing in financial crimes based in San Jose. Ultimately, the case was handed over to the IRS, which took decisive action.
In July 2020, Riley faced charges associated with financial crimes related to her fraudulent fundraising scheme under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. This statute criminalizes obtaining money or property through false pretenses transmitted via wire, radio, or television communication across state or international lines.
During the trial, the shocking extent of Riley’s deception came to light. She resorted to extreme measures, such as shaving her head to mimic the appearance of a chemotherapy patient, fabricating medical records, forging physicians’ documents, and constructing an extensive library of photos documenting her fictitious cancer journey.
In May 2022, Riley pleaded guilty to wire fraud. The court ordered her to pay restitution in the amount of $105,513 and sentenced her to 60 months in prison. This landmark case marked the first financial conviction of an individual who feigned cancer for fundraising purposes, earning it a place in IRS history, as recounted in the podcast “Scamanda.”
Riley currently serves her sentence at FMC Carswell, a federal prison situated in Ft. Worth, Texas. This facility specializes in catering to inmates with diverse security levels and specific mental and physical health requirements. Prior to her conviction, Riley held the position of principal at a Christian elementary school.
During the sentencing, Judge Beth Labson Freeman emphasized the insidious nature of Riley’s actions. Riley manipulated the kindness and goodwill of innocent, compassionate individuals and intruded upon the sanctity of communities and support groups that were grieving. Her motive was to defraud these individuals to sustain her own lifestyle, as reported by the Huffington Post.
Prosecutors Stephanie M. Hinds and Michael G. Pitman underscored the profound irony in Riley’s case – her friends would have willingly supported her if she had simply requested help honestly. Instead, she made the conscious choice to deceive those who placed their trust in her, exploiting their generosity for personal gain over several years. Such audacious behavior truly shattered the victims’ worldview and irreversibly altered their perception of humanity, as highlighted in the prosecutors’ sentencing memorandum.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
