Amanda Riley, 36, from California, has pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge for faking Hodgkin's lymphoma for nearly seven years to draw more than $106,000 in donations
A Northern California woman has admitted to swindling more than $106,000 in donations by lying to everyone, including her family and friends, about having cancer for nearly seven years.
Amanda Riley, 36, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to a federal charge of wire fraud and could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced in February, the U.S. attorney’s office said in a statement.
In her plea agreement, the San Jose woman acknowledged that between September 2012 and January 2019, she raked in cash by falsely claiming she battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma and solicited donations on social media.
'She posted photos of medications, photos of herself at hospitals, and photos of herself allegedly suffering the side effects of chemotherapy' and even shaved her head to make it appear she had lost her locks due to the treatment, the U.S. attorney’s statement said.
Riley also organized several in-person fundraisers, including at a church, prosecutors said.
She acknowledged receiving more than 400 donations, which she used for unspecified 'personal expenses.'
Riley received money from friends, family and members of her church, and used it for 'personal expenses.' She went so far as to shave her head in order to keep up the scam
The convicted con artist concocted her scheme in October 2012 and began documenting her bogus illness on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
She
