Amanda Riley, the former California school principal who faked terminal cancer for seven years and swindled over $105,000 from hundreds of donors, has been released from prison after serving a five-year sentence. Her current whereabouts remain unknown, according to reports.
The Scamanda Story
Riley launched the blog 'Lymphoma Can Suck It' in 2012 after claiming to have been diagnosed with terminal Hodgkin's lymphoma. For seven years, she deceived family, friends, and strangers into believing she was gravely ill, conning them out of thousands of dollars for alleged medical treatments. The BBC true crime series 'Scamanda', based on the popular podcast of the same name, has gripped audiences since it began airing last week, with the final two episodes airing on BBC Two on Tuesday, June 23.
Investigation and Trial
Journalist Nancy Moscatiello pursued an investigation into Riley, even filing a civil harassment lawsuit against her. She handed her findings to the San Jose Police Department, leading to a formal investigation. In 2021, Riley pleaded guilty to wire fraud at the California Federal Courthouse, defrauding more than $105,000 from 349 identified individuals. She was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay full restitution.
Incarceration and Release
Riley began her sentence at Federal Medical Centre Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, before being transferred to a residential re-entry facility, RRM Long Beach in California. Reports indicate she was rushed to A&E 24 times during her first 18 months in custody with various medical complaints. Her legal team sought early release, arguing her health struggles were genuine, but a judge rejected the request after she was found attempting to tamper with test results. It has been reported that Riley was freed from prison in 2025, though her current location is unknown.
Aftermath
Her former husband, Corey, filed for divorce in 2024 and continues to live in Texas with their two sons. Following her sentencing, Riley said: 'This is the worst thing I have ever done and the worst mistake I could have made. I don't sleep well at night because this haunts me daily. I can't even look at myself in the mirror without feeling ashamed, and I am so sorry.' 'Scamanda' is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
