“Amanda Riley Blog Cancer “- Cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of people around the world. It can cause physical, emotional, and financial hardships for patients and their families. But what if someone pretended to have cancer for years, lied about their diagnosis and treatment, and took advantage of the sympathy and generosity of others? That’s exactly what Amanda Riley did.
Who is Amanda Riley?
Amanda Riley was a California-based Christian blogger and mother of two who started a blog called “Lymphoma Can Suck It” in 2012. She claimed that she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in her late 20s. She used her blog and social media to document her journey with the disease, sharing details about her symptoms, chemotherapy sessions, hospital visits, and bucket list experiences. She also asked for donations to help cover her medical expenses and fulfill her dreams before she died.
She gained a large following of supporters, including friends, co-workers, church members, strangers, and even celebrities. Singer LeAnn Rimes was one of her biggest fans, who sent her gifts, messages, and even invited her to attend her concerts. Riley also spoke at various events, such as the Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
Riley’s story was so compelling that she was featured in several media outlets, such as The Orange County Register, The Daily Mail, and The Huffington Post. She was praised for her courage, faith, and positivity in the face of adversity.
How did she fake cancer?
Riley’s cancer story was a complete fabrication. She never had Hodgkin’s lymphoma or any other type of cancer. She never underwent any chemotherapy or radiation treatments. She never had any surgeries or biopsies. She never had any medical records or bills to prove her diagnosis.
So how did she fool so many people for so long? According to an oncology nurse who analyzed Riley’s blog posts and photos, Riley used various methods to fake cancer, such as:
- Shaving her head and eyebrows to mimic hair loss from chemotherapy.
- Wearing wigs, hats, scarves, and makeup to disguise her appearance.
- Using fake hospital bracelets and IV tubes to create the illusion of being hospitalized.
- Posting photoshopped images of herself with bruises, rashes, and scars to show the side effects of treatment.
- Faking pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to claim that her pregnancy had “reversed the cancer”.
- Lying about having terminal miracles that put her cancer into remission temporarily.
- Fabricating stories about traveling to exotic places like Hawaii, Paris, and New York to cross off items from her bucket list.
Riley also manipulated people’s emotions by playing the victim card. She often posted about how much pain she was in, how scared she was of dying, how much she loved her husband and children, and how grateful she was for everyone’s support. She also used religion to appeal to people’s faith and compassion. She frequently quoted Bible verses, prayed for others, and thanked God for his miracles.
How was she exposed?
Riley’s scam began to unravel in 2019, when some of her followers started to notice inconsistencies and red flags in her story. They became suspicious of her miraculous recoveries, her lack of medical evidence, her extravagant trips, and her constant requests for money. They also found out that she had lied about other aspects of her life, such as her education, career, and family background.
Some of them confronted Riley directly or reported her to the authorities. Others created online groups and forums to expose her lies and warn others about her fraud. They gathered evidence from various sources, such as public records, social media posts, news articles, podcasts, and interviews. They also contacted some of Riley’s victims, such as former friends, co-workers, church members, donors, and celebrities.
In July 2020, Riley was arrested by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on charges of wire fraud. According to the criminal complaint filed by IRS special agent Arlette Lee, Riley had collected at least 349 donations totaling more than $105,000 over the seven years she perpetrated the fraud. She used the money for personal expenses such as rent, groceries, clothes, entertainment, and travel.
What happened to her?
In May 2021, Riley pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in exchange for a reduced sentence. She faced up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, she received a sentence of five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $105,000 in restitution to her victims.
Riley’s case made legal history as the first federal prosecution of a cancer scammer in the United States. It also sparked a public outcry and a media frenzy, as many people were outraged and disgusted by her actions. Riley’s story was covered by various podcasts, such as “Scamanda” by Charlie Webster, “The Opportunist” by Cast Media, and “The Con” by ABC News. It was also featured in several documentaries, such as “Scamanda: The Fake Cancer Blogger” by Lionsgate and “The Cancer Con” by Netflix.
Why did she do it?
Riley’s motives for faking cancer and scamming people are unclear. She never gave a clear explanation or apology for her actions. She only said that she was sorry for hurting people and that she needed help.
Some experts and observers have speculated that Riley may have suffered from a mental disorder, such as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, narcissistic personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder. These disorders are characterized by lying, manipulating, exploiting, and seeking attention from others. They may also stem from underlying issues, such as trauma, abuse, insecurity, or low self-esteem.
However, these speculations are not conclusive or definitive. Riley’s behavior may have been influenced by other factors, such as greed, boredom, addiction, or thrill. She may have also been influenced by the culture of social media, where people can create fake identities and stories to gain fame, followers, and money.
What can we learn from her?
Riley’s case is a cautionary tale of how easy it is to deceive and be deceived in the digital age. It also shows how important it is to be vigilant and critical when consuming information online. Here are some tips to avoid falling victim to cancer scammers or other fraudsters:
- Do your research. Verify the source and credibility of the information you receive. Check for facts, evidence, references, and reviews. Look for inconsistencies, contradictions, or red flags.
- Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for more details, clarifications, or proofs. Don’t take everything at face value. Don’t be swayed by emotions or appeals to authority.
- Report suspicious activity. If you suspect that someone is lying or scamming you, report them to the appropriate authorities or platforms. Don’t be afraid to speak up or expose them.
- Be careful with your money. Don’t give money to strangers or people you don’t know well. Don’t give money without getting a receipt or confirmation. Don’t give money without knowing how it will be used or where it will go.
Amanda Riley blog cancer was a shocking and disturbing scam that harmed many people. It also raised awareness and questions about the ethics and implications of faking cancer online. It is a reminder that we should always be careful and responsible when dealing with information and money on the internet.
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