Who in the World Is Scamanda?
In 2012, Amanda Christine Riley, a California mom and Christian blogger, launched a blog named "Lymphoma Can Suck It" to share her supposed battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Garnering support and donations from a wide audience, including celebrities, she claimed she needed funds for her cancer treatments. However, it later emerged that Riley had never been diagnosed with cancer at all. Here, we uncover five crucial points to understanding the story.
1. The Scam
For seven years, Riley (a former teacher and principal) spun a web of lies, claiming to battle Hodgkin's lymphoma, leading to donations, gifts, and even trips funded by those duped by her story. She was able to swindle more than $100,000 from well-meaning supporters from at least 349 donations, including from coworkers, a mega-church, and even celebrities like singer LeAnn Rimes.
2. The Blog
Riley repeatedly posted articles claiming she was on the brink of death to her blog, "Lymphoma Can Suck It." Yet, she would then miraculously claim to have experienced a "life-saving wonder" that suddenly sent her cancer into remission, leading her followers through a rollercoaster of emotions. On one occasion, Riley even stated that becoming pregnant had "cured" her cancer, though she would later announce its inevitable return.
3. The Consequences
A criminal complaint filed by Arlette Lee, a special agent with the IRS, accused Amanda Riley of breaching federal law, specifically Title 18, Section 1343, which prohibits acquiring money or property through deceitful methods. This law covers fraud executed via electronic communication across state or international borders.
In May 2022, Riley pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud. Consequently, she was mandated to reimburse $105,513 and received a 60-month prison sentence. This incident marked the first time the IRS successfully prosecuted someone for pretending to have cancer to illicitly raise funds.
4. The Trial
During the trial, the lengths to which Riley went to carry out the deception were uncovered, such as shaving her head to mimic chemotherapy treatment, fabricating medical records, falsifying doctors' documents, and compiling a collection of photographs that falsely illustrated her journey with cancer.
5. Where Is She Now?
Riley is now serving her sentence at Federal Medical Center, Carswell, a federal correctional facility in Ft. Worth, Texas, known for accommodating inmates of varying security levels and those requiring medical or mental health care.
Amanda Christine Riley's saga, from her "Lymphoma Can Suck It" blog to her fraudulent collection of over $100,000, unveils a shocking journey of deceit that captivated and ultimately betrayed the trust of hundreds. This story serves as a stark reminder of the internet's power to both connect and deceive, urging a cautious approach to online empathy and generosity.
References: Amanda Riley: Where is the Scammer Today? | Amanda C. Riley lied about having cancer for nearly a decade and swindled victims out of over $100,000 in donations. Here's where she is today.
