The four-part docuseries Scamanda delves into the shocking tale of Amanda Riley, a charismatic California woman who faked a brutal cancer battle for money, gifts, and sympathy. Riley's elaborate deception, documented on her personal blog, involved staged hospital photos, fabricated medical treatments, and even a celebrity meet-and-greet. After an anonymous tip tipped off authorities, Riley was convicted of wire fraud in 2021 and is currently serving a five-year prison sentence. The docuseries explores how Riley convinced so many people and institutions of her illness, highlighting the power of empathy and the dangers of online deception.
After an unexpected scheduling delay this past fall, Scam anda, ABC’s four-part docuseries that takes on the most popular and talked-about podcast of 2023, finally premieres on Thursday, January 30.
Riley documented her supposed illness with photos and emotional passages on her personal blog, where she solicited donations in the form of cash and goods for medical treatment, gifts, trips, concerts, celebrity meet-and-greets and other perks. The blog would be her undoing: after investigative producer Nancy Moscatiello received an anonymous tip, she and authorities began poking at glaring holes in Riley’s story, and she was ultimately convicted of wire fraud in 2021.
Why were so many people and institutions so easily fooled? “I don't think she necessarily was your stereotype of a scam artist,” Charlie Webster, creator of the Scamanda podcast and a producer of the show, tells Us Weekly in an exclusive interview. “I don't think these people were gullible or naive.”
“This was a woman in their community that was suffering that had two children. People rallied around to support her, and she was utterly convincing,” Webster adds. “Everything’s in hindsight. How would you have questioned that? You know you'd be the meanie, the horrible critical person in the back of the room.”Webster, whose conversation with Riley herself is teased for a later episode of the show, also has complex feelings about her real-life protagonist’s motivations for the scam.
Docuseries TRUE CRIME PODCAST DOCUMENTARY SCAM FRAUD CANCER MENTAL HEALTH
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Charlie Webster Reveals Amanda Riley's Regret in 'Scamanda' DocuseriesABC's new docuseries 'Scamanda' delves into the life and lies of Amanda Riley, who fabricated a cancer diagnosis to scam supporters. Host Charlie Webster reveals exclusive insights into her communication with Riley, including Riley's expressed remorse for her actions. The docuseries features new interviews, archival footage, and details about the investigation that led to Riley's sentencing.
Read more »
Scamanda Docuseries: Host Reveals Amanda Riley's Current Relationship StatusThe new ABC docuseries 'Scamanda' delves into the life and lies of Amanda Riley, who faked a cancer diagnosis to scam supporters. The series features new and exclusive interviews, including police, an IRS investigator, former friends, and a neuropsychologist. It also includes communications between Amanda and podcast host Charlie Webster, and access to archival materials. Webster reveals she has been speaking with Riley for over 18 months and that Riley expressed remorse for her actions.
Read more »
B. Riley Faces More SEC Scrutiny Over Franchise Group DealingsB. Riley Financial Inc. received additional subpoenas from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeking information about its dealings with now-bankrupt Franchise Group (FRG) and a personal loan for Chairman Bryant Riley. The SEC is investigating B. Riley's past investments in FRG and Riley's pledge of B. Riley shares as collateral for a personal loan. This comes amid an ongoing SEC probe into B. Riley's relationship with former FRG CEO Brian Kahn. B. Riley maintains it is cooperating fully with the SEC and that the subpoenas do not indicate any violations of law.
Read more »
Where is Amanda Riley Of 'Scamanda' Now? Inside The True StoryFrom the adorable animated musical “Moana 2” to the heartwarming dating show “The Later Daters” and more, TODAY senior entertainment editor Elena Nicolaou sits down with Hoda and Jenna to share the top movies and TV shows to watch the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Read more »
New docuseries 'Scamanda' to premiere on ABC and HuluFor years, Amanda Riley shared detailed stories and posted pictures of herself in cancer treatment attached to tubes and devices. All of it was fake.
Read more »
Trump Signs Laken Riley Act, Mandating Detention of Migrants Accused of CrimesPresident Trump signs the Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at enhancing border security and requiring the detention of unauthorized immigrants charged with theft and violent crimes. The legislation, named after a Georgia nursing student killed in 2024, has sparked both support and criticism, with Democrats raising concerns about due process rights and the lack of funding.
Read more »