The Disturbing and Incredible Story of Fake Cancer Survivor "Scamanda," With Host Charlie Webster | Ep. 596
Jul 27, 2023
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Journalist Charlie Webster, host of the hit true crime investigative podcast 'Scamanda,' uncovers the disturbing story of fake cancer survivor 'Scamanda' who swindled hundreds of thousands, infiltrated cancer support groups, and received a lengthy prison sentence. They discuss the motivations behind faking illnesses, the legal charges, and the consequences for genuine cancer patients. The podcast explores other cases of dishonesty and highlights the importance of caution in online donations.
Amanda C. Riley successfully manipulated others into believing she had stage four blood cancer, exploiting their goodwill and generosity.
Amanda's elaborate fraud not only resulted in financial loss but also caused emotional fallout and raised questions about the justice system's response to manipulative crimes.
Amanda's aggressive response to the investigative journalist who uncovered her scam highlights her determination to maintain her false narrative and raises psychological factors that may have driven her actions.
Deep dives
The Scamanda Podcast: A Riveting True Crime Story
The Scamanda podcast explores the shocking true story of Amanda C. Riley, a woman who faked having stage four blood cancer and scammed her friends, family, and church members out of over $100,000. The immersive investigative podcast delves into the lengths this woman went to in order to fool people into believing she was ill and garner donations. The host, Charlie Webster, discusses how Amanda manipulated others by creating a detailed blog and infiltrating cancer support groups. The podcast reveals the personal and emotional impact on those affected, highlighting the difficulties in catching and proving her deception. Ultimately, Amanda pleaded guilty to wire fraud and received a remarkable five-year prison sentence.
Examining Amanda's Manipulative Charm and Deception
Amanda C. Riley, the focus of the Scamanda podcast, demonstrated a remarkable ability to charm and manipulate those around her. With her convincing blog posts and heartfelt persona, she gained the trust and support of numerous individuals, including her husband, Corey, and members of her church community. Through her detailed knowledge of cancer treatment and her involvement in cancer-related events, Amanda successfully convinced others of her illness. She managed to exploit the goodwill and generosity of people who genuinely wanted to help her, leaving them feeling betrayed and violated. Her ability to maintain this ruse for years showcases the deceptive power of skilled manipulators.
Legal Consequences and Emotional Fallout
Amanda C. Riley's elaborate fraud came crashing down when she was exposed and brought to court. She ultimately pleaded guilty to wire fraud and received a surprising five-year prison sentence, far exceeding the recommended term. The podcast highlights how the emotional fallout from her deception extends beyond the monetary loss. Victims grapple with feelings of betrayal and shock, while Amanda's own children, who believed their mother was dying, must come to terms with the truth. The legal case forces us to consider the impact of such deceptive behavior beyond the financial aspect and raises questions about the justice system's response to these highly manipulative crimes.
Significance of the Bankruptcy Testimony
In the podcast episode, there is a crucial moment where both Amanda and Corey, the main subjects of the story, take the stand and discuss their bankruptcy under oath. This testimony is seen as a key point in understanding Amanda's actions and Corey's potential involvement. It sheds light on their financial situation and provides clues about their knowledge and complicity in the scam.
Legal Battle and Psychological Motivation
The podcast explores Amanda's aggressive response to the investigative journalist Nancy, who uncovered her fraudulent activities. Amanda files a lawsuit against Nancy, seeking a restraining order and accusing her of civil harassment. This legal battle reveals Amanda's determination to maintain her false narrative and go on the offensive against anyone exposing her scam, even at the risk of tarnishing her reputation further. The episode delves into the psychological factors that may have driven Amanda to continue perpetrating the fraud and how her belief in her own lies could prevent her from changing her behavior in the future.
Megyn Kelly is joined by journalist Charlie Webster, host of the hit true crime investigative podcast "Scamanda," to discuss how Webster found the story, the massive reaction to the podcast, the sordid story of Amanda Riley and her "cancer" journey detailed through her blog, how Amanda is accused of swindling hundreds of thousands from friends and and family, the important background of her family, how she may have learned so much about cancer, the character Amanda created, taking advantage of people of faith, whether Amanda's husband knew about the fraud and if Amanda actually believed her lies, how Amanda actually stole much more than she was charged with, the incredible turn of events when Amanda sued a journalist looking into her, Amanda's disturbing infiltration of cancer support groups, how Amanda was caught and the lengthy prison sentence she received, how medical records work in America, a warning about online scams, and more.
More about Scamanda: http:/Apple.co/scamanda
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