‘Scamanda’ Producer Reveals What Cancer Fraudster Amanda Riley Told Her From Prison (Exclusive)

The Tale of Amanda Riley: A Cancer Fraudster’s Downfall and the Quest for Redemption

Amanda Riley, a once-beloved wife and mother from an affluent Bay Area suburb in California, became the center of a shocking fraud scandal that unfolded in the 2010s. Her story, chronicled in ABC’s gripping docuseries Scamanda and the hit 2023 podcast of the same name, reveals how she fabricated a series of nearly fatal cancer diagnoses to garner sympathy, donations, and perks. Over the years, Riley’s blog and staged photos fooled many, raising over $100,000 in monetary donations, along with gifts, trips, and celebrity meet-and-greets. However, her deceit eventually caught up with her, leading to a 2021 conviction for wire fraud and a prison sentence. The docuseries ends with a bombshell: Riley has been speaking off-camera to producer Charlie Webster, the creator and host of the podcast, since her sentencing in May 2022. Webster, who has been documenting Riley’s story, reveals that Riley has expressed remorse for her actions, stating, “She has said to me that she is sorry. She regrets everything she’s done. Every single day… Now she’s in a situation where she has lost everything.”

Charlie Webster: The Journalist Behind the Story and Her Complex Relationship with Riley

Charlie Webster, the driving force behind Scamanda, approached Amanda Riley early on as she began working on the podcast and later the documentary. Webster’s curiosity about Riley’s true nature—whether she was a manipulative monster or someone grappling with mental illness—drove her to engage with Riley, even as Riley declined to participate in the podcast or documentary on the record. “No matter what she’s done, it’s important she was informed,” Webster explains. Over the past three years, Webster has maintained off-record conversations with Riley, during which Riley has expressed regret and remorse. Webster admits that while she remains wary of being manipulated, she has found Riley to be “nice” during their exchanges. However, she acknowledges Riley’s awareness of how her actions might be perceived, noting, “She’s also conscious that she doesn’t want people to think that she’s acting like a victim.”

Despite her efforts to understand Riley, Webster acknowledges the complexity of their relationship. Riley is currently incarcerated and in the midst of a divorce from her husband, Cory, with whom she shares two sons. Her personal turmoil further complicates any public disclosures she might make. Webster’s interactions with Riley have left her questioning whether Riley’s remorse is genuine or a calculated attempt to sway public opinion. Nevertheless, Webster remains a key figure in Riley’s story, offering a unique lens through which to view the fraudster’s psyche.

The Fraud Unravels: How Riley’s Deception Was Exposed

Amanda Riley’s elaborate scheme began to crumble when investigative producer Nancy Moscatiello, acting on an anonymous tip, started digging into her story. The tipster was later revealed to be Lisa Berry, a former friend of Riley’s, in the first episode of Scamanda. Moscatiello’s investigation led to a police inquiry, ultimately exposing Riley’s fraud and bringing her to justice. Riley’s blog, once a tool for deception, became a critical piece of evidence in the case against her. Her carefully crafted narrative of battling cancer had convinced many of her supporters, but the truth was far more sinister.

Webster delves into Riley’s mindset, exploring why she continued her ruse even as it spiraled out of control. According to Webster, Riley confessed that she had attempted to stop fabricating her health updates but felt trapped by the expectations of her followers. “She just carried on because then people would ask her [for health updates], right?” Webster recounts. “She just dug herself in deeper and couldn’t get out of it.” Riley’s inability to extricate herself from the web of lies she had spun ultimately led to her downfall.

Psychological Speculation: What Drove Riley’s Actions?

The question of what motivated Amanda Riley to perpetrate such an intricate fraud has sparked considerable speculation. While many have labeled her a narcissist, sociopath, or someone suffering from Munchausen’s syndrome, Riley has yet to receive an official diagnosis for any mental disorder. Webster points out that despite the theories, Riley’s mental state remains unclear. In their conversations, Riley has expressed an understanding of the emotional harm she caused, telling Webster, “She wants to serve her sentence and then try and figure out, if possible, how to apologize to the people [she hurt].”

Riley’s desire to apologize, while potentially genuine, raises questions about whether she is capable of true remorse or if she is merely seeking redemption to rebuild her public image. Webster acknowledges the ambiguity, noting that while Riley’s expressions of regret may be heartfelt, they may also be part of a larger strategy to regain public sympathy. Regardless of her motivations, Riley’s actions have left a trail of hurt and betrayal in their wake.

A Glimmer of Redemption? Riley’s Road to Freedom and Beyond

Amanda Riley’s journey toward potential redemption is currently underway. According to Webster, Riley has been transferred from prison to a transitional facility, and her release date has been moved up to December 9, 2025. This development has sparked hope that Riley may one day make amends for her actions. Webster suggests that Riley could begin apologizing to her victims before Christmas, though it remains to be seen how these apologies will be received. Given the magnitude of her deception, rebuilding trust will be an uphill battle.

Webster, for her part, remains optimistic about Riley’s future. She believes that Riley’s high-profile status will make it difficult for her to revert to her old ways. “I think it’s going to be very, very hard for her,” Webster says. “Do we believe in second chances? Do we believe in redemption? Do we believe that people can learn their lessons and change? It’s a case of trying to rebuild her life. Maybe not rebuild actually—try and build a new life. I don’t think she can rebuild.”

“Scamanda” and the Bigger Conversation

The Scamanda docuseries, now streaming on Hulu, offers more than just a gripping true-crime narrative. It invites viewers to grapple with larger questions about deception, empathy, and redemption. Webster’s involvement in Riley’s story adds a human dimension to the tale, prompting audiences to consider whether individuals like Riley can change and whether society should offer them a second chance. As Riley prepares for life after prison, her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of manipulation and the enduring power of forgiveness.