What ‘Scamanda’ Most cancers Fraudster Amanda Riley Stated From Jail (EXCL)
ABC’s Scamanda docuseries ended with the revelation that convicted and imprisoned most cancers fraudster Amanda Riley spoke off-camera to producer Charlie Webster, additionally the creator/host of the hit 2023 podcast of the identical identify. What the doc didn’t disclose: Webster has been talking to Riley off the document since her sentencing in Might 2022.
“She has mentioned to me that she is sorry,” Webster informed Us Weekly completely in a latest interview. “She regrets every part she’s finished. Each single day … Now she’s in a state of affairs the place she has misplaced every part.”
As Scamanda listeners and watchers know, Riley has loads to remorse: For a number of years within the 2010s, the perky spouse and mother from a tony Bay Space, California suburb used a private weblog and staged photographs to faux numerous, nearly-fatal bouts of most cancers — elevating over $100,000 in financial donations plus extra in items, journeys, superstar meet-and-greets and different perks. All of it led to a 2021 conviction for wire fraud.
Webster first approached Riley “from the start” as she started to provide the podcast and, later, the documentary. “It doesn’t matter what she’s finished, it’s vital she was knowledgeable,” she says. “As a journalist and author, it was crucial for me to try to know who Amanda is. Was she this vindictive, horrible monster? Was she any person with psychological sickness?”
Riley declined to participate within the podcast or the documentary, and at current “can’t speak to the media” on document, Webster tells Us. Riley can be within the midst of divorcing husband Cory, with whom she shares two sons, additional complicating something she publicly discloses.
Cautious of being manipulated, Webster concedes that she discovered Riley “good” all through their conversations over the previous three years. “I’ve been very acutely aware concerning the state of affairs and never simply being gullible. To me, she’s come throughout very upset at instances, however she’s additionally acutely aware that she doesn’t need individuals to assume that she’s performing like a sufferer.”
Riley’s scheme started to crumble after investigative producer Nancy Moscatiello, contacted by an nameless tipster (who turned out to be Riley’s former pal Lisa Berry, as revealed within the present’s first episode), started trying into the case — ultimately resulting in a police investigation.
How did she get in so deep? Why didn’t she merely stop providing false well being updates on her weblog? “She informed me that she did attempt to cease after which was frightened about dropping every part,” Webster says. “However she didn’t. She simply carried on as a result of then individuals would ask her [for health updates], proper? She simply dug herself in deeper and couldn’t get out of it.”
Whereas many have posited that Riley is a narcissist, a sociopath or affected by Munchausen’s syndrome, she has but to be recognized with any psychological dysfunction, Webster factors out. Riley has informed Webster that she understands “the emotional harm she’s precipitated individuals . . she desires to serve her sentence after which try to determine, if doable, learn how to apologize to the individuals [she hurt].”
These in-person apologies may occur earlier than Christmas. In line with Webster, Riley has been moved from jail to a transitional facility, and her present launch date has been moved as much as December 9, 2025.
Webster, for her half, is optimistic that Riley won’t try to rip-off once more as soon as she’s free — notably since her podcast and TV fame will make it extraordinarily troublesome to do something anonymously.
“I believe it’s going to be very, very exhausting for her,” Webster tells Us. “Can we imagine in second probabilities? Can we imagine in redemption? Can we imagine that individuals can be taught their classes and alter? It’s a case of attempting to rebuild her life. Perhaps not rebuild really — try to construct a brand new life. I don’t assume she will rebuild.”
Scamanda is now streaming on Hulu.
