A four part documentary on Disney+, called Scamanda, tells of a woman, Amanda Riley, well-known and beloved in her community, who pulled a scam that left thousands feeling angry and betrayed.

• The name of this documentary is that same as that of a long-running podcast that covered this sordid affair.
• Amanda’s husband has never been officially accused of any wrongdoing, as his complicity would be difficult to prove, given that the only witness would’ve been his spouse.
• Catch Tat Wolfen’s entertainment commentary on The Sandton Times Hour, every Monday at 7pm on 91.9FM.
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Amanda Riley had a soft, pretty face, and was apparently blessed with a charm that would make people instantly like her. One would think that this would’ve been enough for her, but it seems that she still didn’t feel loved and appreciated enough. Even during her school days, she apparently lied about her life, in such a way as she believed she would earn the greater respect and admiration of her peers.

Scamanda picks up from Amanda’s life as a wife, stepmother (later, mother, as well), and valued member of a local “superchurch”, which would pack thousands in every Sunday. She made sure that she was well established amongst that church’s faithful, before she would pull her ruse; that of faking a cancer diagnosis. Once this deception came into play, she became the church’s – and community’s – cause célèbre.

Her friends, as well as congregants of the church, and the supporters of her new “cancer survivor” blog, opened their hearts – and their wallets – all of which makes one wonder whether the financial benefits were an originally unintended side benefit or whether the bucks were a part of her greater scheme from the get-go. I’m guessing the latter.

It would be impossible to enumerate exactly how many kind and loving people Amanda exploited with this tasteless charade, and it almost goes without saying that she betrayed the trust of her own kids, her close friends, her religious community, a cancer survivors’ support group, her blog followers (and therefore, cash donors) and many others who’d rallied to the emotional and financial support of this “heroic sufferer”.

The documentary includes interview segments with ex-friends and fellow congregants of hers, and others who’d had the misfortune of encountering her along the way. Crucially, we hear from the TV journalist and two investigators who would ultimately break the case wide open. But none of this would probably ever have happened if it hadn’t been for a once-best-friend of Amanda’s, who’d smelt a rat, starting gathering evidence, and contacted the TV journo.

In the same state, California, a renowned Hollywood screenwriter had also pulled a similar cancer ruse, and it’s been covered by the documentary Anatomy of Lies, which is as yet unavailable locally. Trust me, however, Scamanda will give you enough material to have you grinding your teeth in outrage.

Tat Wolfen is a multimedia communicator, entertainment commentator and leisure journalist. Tune in for Tat’s razor-sharp takes on the latest on stage and screen, every week on The Sandton Times Hour – Mondays at 7pm on 91.9FM or on a fine selection of the world’s leading podcast platforms. [Disclaimer: Views expressed by reviewers/contributors are their own, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandton Times and its ownership or management.]

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