Sat Feb 08 00:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Woman Imprisoned for Five-Year Cancer Hoax

**San Jose, CA** – A California woman who faked a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis to solicit over $100,000 in donations has been sentenced to five years in federal prison. Amanda C. Riley, 39, orchestrated a sophisticated deception over several years, posting photos and updates online detailing her fictitious battle with cancer. Her elaborate ruse involved falsified medical records, forged doctor’s notes, and even shaving her head to simulate chemotherapy side effects.

Riley’s scheme began in 2012 when she publicly announced her diagnosis, prompting an outpouring of support from family, friends, and even country music star LeeAnn Rimes. Donations poured in through an online fundraising site and a personal blog where Riley shared fabricated details of her illness.

However, suspicions were raised by Lisa Berry, a friend of Riley’s, who contacted investigative journalist Nancy Moscatiello in 2015. Moscatiello, along with retired police detective Jose Martinez and IRS Special Agent Arlette Lyons, investigated Riley’s claims, uncovering inconsistencies and ultimately proving her diagnosis fraudulent.

“She’s an actor,” Martinez stated in the ABC docuseries “Scamanda,” which details the case. “She’s in that character 24/7.”

Riley pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges in October 2021. While she was ordered to repay $105,513 in restitution, she has paid back less than $1,000. Currently, she is serving her sentence at a residential reentry center in Long Beach, California, with a projected release date of December 4, 2025. Even in prison, Riley has continued her manipulative behavior, faking medical emergencies to gain attention and sympathy. The case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of online deception and the importance of verifying information before donating to charitable causes.

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