Amanda Riley

Source: ABC News/HuluAmanda Riley faked her cancer diagnosis to scam people.

In 2012, California-based Christian blogger Amanda Riley claimed she had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and documented her fake journey by uploading fabricated photos of herself in a treatment facility. The South Bay woman sought donations from her community and online followers, supposedly to cover her medical expenses, and received a total of $105,513 from 349 individuals.

Riley's years-long scheme came to an end when her scam was uncovered through an investigation by the San Jose Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation. A criminal complaint was officially filed in July 2020.

Following the investigation, she pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. ยง 1343 on October 12, 2021, and was sentenced to five years in prison in May 2022. She was also ordered to pay $105,513 in restitution at the time.

Brian Dennehy

Source: MEGABrian Dennehy made the claims throughout his career.

Brian Dennehy, who made his acting debut in the 1970s, repeatedly professed he had served in Vietnam and suffered minor injuries in combat.

After it was discovered that the Tommy Boy actor never served during the war, he issued an apology statement and admitted he had lied."I did not mean to take away from the actions and the sacrifices of the ones who did really serve there. I did steal valor," he told The Globe in 1998. "That was very wrong of me. There is no real excuse for that. I was a peace-time Marine, and I got out in 1963 without ever serving in Vietnam... I started the story that I had been in 'Nam, and I got stuck with it. Then I didn't know how to set the record straight."However, in 2007, Dennehy brought back the false account and told the same story to a Wall Street Journal journalist.

Brian Williams

Source: MEGABrian Williams has been accused of creating false stories several times.

In a January 2015 NBC Nightly News broadcast, Brian Williams alleged that a grenade hit the helicopter he was traveling in while covering the Iraq War in 2003. He later changed the story and claimed he was in a helicopter behind the one that an RPG hit.

On the other hand, the helicopter pilots said the chopper was not directly behind the Chinook that was hit. Veterans who were part of the mission also called out the news anchor for spreading lies.

Following the blunder, NBC announced the suspension of Williams for six months without pay. An NBC News investigation later found 10 to 12 other incidents in which the journalist exaggerated or misrepresented his stories.

Williams later issued an apology and expressed he felt "terrible" about the incident."I think the constant viewing of the video showing us inspecting the impact area - and the fog of memory over 12 years - made me conflate the two," he wrote on Facebook.

James Frey

Source: MEGAJames Frey published the book in 2003.

Author James Frey detailed his alleged experiences with drug addiction as well as his subsequent jail time and rehabilitation stay in his 2003 memoir, A Million Little Pieces.

After the book was featured on Oprah Winfrey's book club, The Smoking Gun published a report confirming Frey had falsified and exaggerated many of his claims. He sat down for an interview with the talk show host two weeks after he was exposed, facing tough questioning from Winfrey."It is difficult for me to talk to you because I feel really duped. But more importantly, I feel that you betrayed millions of readers," the TV producer told Frey.

The I Am Number Four author admitted he had altered parts of his book, which later prompted him to refund his readers and issue an apology."My mistake, and it is one I deeply regret, is writing about the person I created in my mind to help me cope, and not the person who went through the experience," he said.

Jussie Smollett

Source: MEGAJussie Smollett has maintained his innocence even after reaching a settlement agreement with the city of Chicago.



MORE ON:Jussie Smollett'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test' Season 4 Cast Revealed: Kody Brown, Jussie Smollett, Mark Estes, MoreActor Jussie Smollett's Staged Hate Crime Conviction Overturned by Illinois Supreme CourtAbimbola Osundairo Reveals Jussie Smollett Helped Him Land Acting Role On 'Empire' Prior To Shocking Hate Crime Hoax: 'He Seemed Very Personable'Want OK! each day? Sign up here!The infamous Jussie Smollett saga began in January 2019 when The Mighty Ducks actor reported he had been attacked in the 300 block of North Lower Water Street in Chicago. He claimed two men yelled "racial and homophobic slurs" toward him before striking him repeatedly and pouring a chemical substance on him.

He added the alleged perpetrators wrapped a rope around his neck.

The following month, Smollett was arrested