True-crime podcasts don’t always need to be about murdered and missing individuals.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy listening to true-crime podcasts like Crime Junkie, but sometimes I feel like I need something that doesn’t have me frantically looking over my shoulder and instead leaves me fascinated by an individual’s actions.

Cue: Scamanda.

This eight-episode podcast series had my jaw dropping more times than I can count.

Scamanda uncovers the story of Amanda C. Riley, an allegedly Christian mom and blogger. Amanda uses her blog to share about her cancer journey. Her bubbly personality and faith quickly capture the hearts of her local and church community, who support her through monetary donations, prayer, meals, and more.

The podcast, hosted by journalist Charlie Webster, shares Amanda’s story as she battles cancer. The storyline quickly takes a turn when investigator Nancy Moscatiello gets an anonymous tip that Amanda is faking her diagnosis.

The eight episodes take you through the investigation from start to finish as the IRS investigates Amanda and uncovers a web of lies.

This was my first experience with a true-crime podcast dedicated to a single story, and my first focused on a white-collar criminal case—in this case, fraud. I found the content engaging, the research thorough, and the storyline consistent.

Admittedly, some episodes felt a bit repetitive, though this might be useful for listeners following the series over a longer period.

One aspect I particularly value about Scamanda is its impressive production quality. The audio quality is clear, making it easy to follow along and stay engaged with the story. The podcast incorporates a well-balanced mix of interviews, readings, and sound effects, creating a dynamic listening experience.

Unlike many true-crime podcasts that cover cold cases, I appreciated that this podcast provided a resolution, with the conclusion revealed in the finale episode.

After the first eight episodes, there are a few additional bonus episodes that take a deeper dive into Amanda’s blogs and history.