Fake cancer victim swindles A$160,000: Heartbreaking stories from deceived donors revealed
- Replies 0
In a story that unfolds with unexpected twists, a woman deceives a whole community, leading to a significant financial loss.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the far-reaching effects of betrayal.
Trust, once broken, can have devastating consequences, impacting not just the victims but the entire community.
For eight long years, Amanda Christine Riley, a 39-year-old woman, played the role of a cancer-stricken patient battling Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Her story, set against the backdrop of San Jose, California, and the Family Community Church, tugged at the heartstrings of a congregation eager to support one of their own.
As a seemingly devoted church member, loving wife, and stepmother, Riley's fabricated diagnosis elicited waves of compassion and a flood of financial support.
Riley's blog spurred on the community's generosity, 'Lymphoma Can Suck It,' where she chronicled her fictitious struggle with the disease.
Her posts blended vulnerability and valour, painting her as a beacon of hope and resilience.
The blog, coupled with her charismatic personality, inspired friends, family, and even strangers—including celebrities—to donate, all hoping to ease the burden of her supposed suffering.
Riley's narrative was compelling. She shared stories of undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, of miraculous breakthroughs, and even a pregnancy that defied the odds of her alleged treatments.
Her ability to evoke empathy was unmatched, resulting in a staggering A$172,588 from more than 400 donations.
The emotional and financial investment of the donors was significant. Lindsey Wilder, a former supporter, encapsulated the sense of betrayal felt by many:
'I gave because I believed in her. I thought she was fighting for her life and wanted to help. To find out it was all a lie? It's devastating.'
However, cracks in Riley's story began to appear. Doubts surfaced when inconsistencies emerged, such as her claim of undergoing a procedure to drain fluid from her brain, only to be seen swimming underwater shortly after.
Lisa Berry, once a close friend of Riley's, was among the first to sense something was amiss.
Berry's scepticism led her to reach out to investigative producer Nancy Moscatiello in 2015, triggering a years-long investigation that would eventually expose Riley's elaborate scheme.
The investigation, which involved financial crimes detective Jose Martinez and later the IRS, was aided by the extensive digital trail Riley left on her blog.
Discrepancies in her accounts, such as doctors' names not matching hospital records, raised red flags.
The unravelling of Riley's lies culminated in her indictment for wire fraud in July 2020.
In court, the extent of Riley's deception was laid bare. She had falsified medical records, forged physicians' letters, and even threatened lawsuits against those who doubted her.
Her commitment to the ruse went as far as shaving her head to mimic the effects of chemotherapy.
Riley's conviction in May 2022 resulted in a five-year prison sentence and an order to repay the stolen funds.
Yet, she has paid back less than A$1,635 of the total amount.
Her prison term was cut short, and she was released to a residential reentry centre in Southern California after serving only 19 months.
Now, the victims are speaking out in a new docuseries by ABC News / Hulu titled Scamanda, based on the popular podcast of the same name.
The series offers a platform for those affected to share their stories, reclaim their voices, and process the betrayal.
Riley's deceit has left a lasting scar on the community. 'She destroyed trust,' said one former donor.
'I will never look at another fundraiser the same way again.' Another added, 'She was a bright star in our church, in our lives. Now we're left questioning everything.'
This story is a stark reminder to our members to exercise caution when donating to personal causes.
It's essential to verify the legitimacy of the recipient and the cause. While it's natural to want to help those in need, especially within our communities, protecting ourselves from scams is equally important.
Credit: YouTube
Have you ever encountered a situation that made you question the authenticity of a fundraiser? How do you ensure your donations are going to a genuine cause? Join the conversation below and help us spread awareness about the importance of due diligence in philanthropy.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the far-reaching effects of betrayal.
Trust, once broken, can have devastating consequences, impacting not just the victims but the entire community.
For eight long years, Amanda Christine Riley, a 39-year-old woman, played the role of a cancer-stricken patient battling Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Her story, set against the backdrop of San Jose, California, and the Family Community Church, tugged at the heartstrings of a congregation eager to support one of their own.
As a seemingly devoted church member, loving wife, and stepmother, Riley's fabricated diagnosis elicited waves of compassion and a flood of financial support.
Amanda Riley deceived a community by fabricating a Hodgkin's lymphoma story and garnering over. Credit: YouTube
Riley's blog spurred on the community's generosity, 'Lymphoma Can Suck It,' where she chronicled her fictitious struggle with the disease.
Her posts blended vulnerability and valour, painting her as a beacon of hope and resilience.
The blog, coupled with her charismatic personality, inspired friends, family, and even strangers—including celebrities—to donate, all hoping to ease the burden of her supposed suffering.
Riley's narrative was compelling. She shared stories of undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, of miraculous breakthroughs, and even a pregnancy that defied the odds of her alleged treatments.
Her ability to evoke empathy was unmatched, resulting in a staggering A$172,588 from more than 400 donations.
The emotional and financial investment of the donors was significant. Lindsey Wilder, a former supporter, encapsulated the sense of betrayal felt by many:
'I gave because I believed in her. I thought she was fighting for her life and wanted to help. To find out it was all a lie? It's devastating.'
However, cracks in Riley's story began to appear. Doubts surfaced when inconsistencies emerged, such as her claim of undergoing a procedure to drain fluid from her brain, only to be seen swimming underwater shortly after.
Lisa Berry, once a close friend of Riley's, was among the first to sense something was amiss.
Berry's scepticism led her to reach out to investigative producer Nancy Moscatiello in 2015, triggering a years-long investigation that would eventually expose Riley's elaborate scheme.
The investigation, which involved financial crimes detective Jose Martinez and later the IRS, was aided by the extensive digital trail Riley left on her blog.
Discrepancies in her accounts, such as doctors' names not matching hospital records, raised red flags.
The unravelling of Riley's lies culminated in her indictment for wire fraud in July 2020.
In court, the extent of Riley's deception was laid bare. She had falsified medical records, forged physicians' letters, and even threatened lawsuits against those who doubted her.
Her commitment to the ruse went as far as shaving her head to mimic the effects of chemotherapy.
Riley's conviction in May 2022 resulted in a five-year prison sentence and an order to repay the stolen funds.
Yet, she has paid back less than A$1,635 of the total amount.
Her prison term was cut short, and she was released to a residential reentry centre in Southern California after serving only 19 months.
Now, the victims are speaking out in a new docuseries by ABC News / Hulu titled Scamanda, based on the popular podcast of the same name.
The series offers a platform for those affected to share their stories, reclaim their voices, and process the betrayal.
Riley's deceit has left a lasting scar on the community. 'She destroyed trust,' said one former donor.
'I will never look at another fundraiser the same way again.' Another added, 'She was a bright star in our church, in our lives. Now we're left questioning everything.'
This story is a stark reminder to our members to exercise caution when donating to personal causes.
It's essential to verify the legitimacy of the recipient and the cause. While it's natural to want to help those in need, especially within our communities, protecting ourselves from scams is equally important.
Credit: YouTube
Last edited:
