All four episodes of the docuseries are currently streaming on Hulu.
Lionsgate
PT Barnum once said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”
These days, it feels accurate to say a scammer is, too.
‘Scamanda’.Credit:Lionsgate
So, who is Amanda Riley?
How did she manage to fleece hundreds of well-meaning people out of more than $100,000?
And where is she now?
Amanda Riley in ‘Scamanda’.Hulu
Read on as we answer these questions and more while unpacking the true story that inspiredScamanda.
What isScamandaabout?
She went on to receive more than $100,000 in donations, though her claims soon came under suspicion.
Amanda Riley in ‘Scamanda’.Hulu
Who is Amanda Riley?
Amanda Riley was born in San Jose, Calif., in 1985.
Jaymie was immunocompromised and being treated for leukemia.
Amanda Riley in ‘Scamanda’.Hulu
Cory and Aletta divorced, and a few years later he married Amanda.
She also became a visible member of the Family Community Church in San Jose.
The docuseries features several clips of her speaking about her diagnosis on stage with church leaders.
Amanda Riley in ‘Scamanda’.Hulu
What did Amanda Riley do?
She even had celebrities advocating for her, including musiciansLeAnn Rimesand John Michael Montgomery.
“In truth, [Amanda] had no medical expenses.
Amanda Riley in the Scamanda trailer.Hulu
The donations she received were deposited into her personal bank accounts and used to pay her living expenses.”
How did Amanda Riley get caught?
Soon after, San Jose police also became involved.
Hulu
After it was flagged to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2016, her home was raided.
Riley, however, continued to perpetuate her lies, even as the investigation continued.
The story made national headlines, finally putting an end to her scam.
Amanda and Cory Riley in ‘Scamanda’.ABC News
The following year, she pled guilty to the charges.
Where is Amanda Riley now?
“I do believe that this will happen again,” she added.
ABC
In 2022, Riley began her prison sentence at Federal Medical Center Carswell in Ft. Worth, Tex.
What has Amanda Riley said about the scam?
Riley has said nothing publicly about the scam.
She told Webster she “can’t talk to the media on record.”
She was really crying and very, very upset.
She said shes sorry and she does want to take accountability.
That was one thing that surprised me.
Speaking withUs Weekly,Websterelaborated, “She regrets everything shes done.
Every single day… Now shes in a situation where she has lost everything.
She added, She told me that she did attempt to stop and then was worried about losing everything.
She just carried on because then people would ask her [for health updates], right?
She just dug herself in deeper and couldnt get out of it.
What happened to Cory Riley?
Adivorce petition obtained byTodaysays that Cory filed for divorce from Riley in January 2024.
Riley also told Webster that she and Cory were in the midst of a divorce.
Where can I watchScamanda?
ABC
All four episodes ofScamandaare currentlystreaming on Hulu.
you might also check out theScamandapodcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
