We are partnering with CBC, so that we can continue to bring our listeners brilliant investigations like Sweet Bobby. You can join Tortoise as a member to get early and ad-free access to new series and support our investigations at www.tortoisemedia.com/invite.

Introducing...Agent Pale Horse.

Agent Pale Horse tells the story of FBI undercover agent Scott Payne, whose job it was to infiltrate the most dangerous gangs of our times: outlaw bikers, drug cartels and the international neo-Nazi networks hellbent on inciting a race war. He was taking down these groups from within. And Scott was good at it — people confided in him their most audacious plans for mass violence and domestic terrorism. After a 28-year-long career pretending to be somebody else, agent Payne is ready to tell his side of the story, and an unvarnished view of a life undercover. In this episode, Scott has his first in-person meeting with The Base. Alone. He needs to convince the international neo-Nazi network that he's one of them. 

For more episodes, find and follow Agent Pale Horse on CBC’s White Hot Hate feed:  https://link.mgln.ai/v7Z1Nf

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Introducing...Elon's Spies

Elon Musk is one of the most powerful men in the world. He's a billionaire, the founder of SpaceX, Tesla and more. To his followers, he's a hero; to his critics, a far-right rabble rouser. 

But for someone so public, there’s one part of his life that’s less well known.

Elon’s Spies investigates how this free-speech champion uses private investigators and surveillance to target everyone from whistleblowers at his companies, to online critics and people in his own life. 

This is episode one of three. You can binge the entire series today by subscribing to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or by downloading the Tortoise app. To listen, search for Elon's Spies wherever you get your podcasts.

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Reporter: Alexi Mostrous

Producer: Gary Marshall

Sound design and original composition: Tom Kinsella

Podcast artwork: Jon Hill

Executive producer: Ceri Thomas

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Three years ago, we released our chart-topping investigative podcast Sweet Bobby. And now, Netflix are releasing the documentary Sweet Bobby on 16th October. Catch up with the original story across all 6 episodes by searching for Sweet Bobby wherever you get your podcasts.

To listen to the exclusive ad-free and bonus episode with Kirat, the woman at the heart of this catfishing story, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or become a Tortoise member.

You can find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

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Introducing..Who Trolled Amber?

What comes to mind when you think of Amber Heard? Liar? Survivor? Narcissist? Millions of us watched the celebrity trial of the century, Depp v Heard, in 2022. Amber Heard lost and Johnny Depp was vindicated. But what if Amber was actually the victim of an organised trolling campaign? What if the online hate against her was manufactured?

Alexi Mostrous, the reporter who brought you Sweet Bobby and Hoaxed, investigates what happened to Amber and who might have been responsible. It’s a story about how our own thoughts and opinions can be moulded without us even realising.

The first two episodes of Who Trolled Amber are available now, with further episodes released each week. To listen to the whole series become a Tortoise member or subscribe to Tortoise+.

To find out more about Tortoise:

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If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Reporter and host: Alexi Mostrous

Producer: Xavier Greenwood

Editor: David Taylor

Narrative editor: Gary Marshall

Additional reporting: Katie Riley 

Sound design: Karla Patella 

Artwork: Jon Hill & Oscar Ingham

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In the final episode of Sweet Bobby, Kirat’s case against the catfisher takes an unexpected turn. As Alexi is putting the finishing touches to the series, he gets a phone call that changes everything.

To get exclusive access to the bonus episode, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Host and reporter: Alexi Mostrous

Producer: Gary Marshall

Assistant producer and reporter: Claudia Williams

Executive producer: Basia Cummings

Sound design: Karla Patella

Artwork: Jon Hill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the confession, Kirat goes to the police. But their reaction to her case isn’t what she’s expecting. Plus: Alexi tries a new approach with the catfisher...

All 6 episodes are available to listen now.

To get exclusive access to the bonus episode, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Host and reporter: Alexi Mostrous

Producer: Gary Marshall

Assistant producer and reporter: Claudia Williams

Executive producer: Basia Cummings

Sound design: Karla Patella

Artwork: Jon Hill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirat deals with the fallout from the confession. Alexi’s investigation reveals the startling true beginnings of the scam, as he tries to unravel the catfisher's motivation.

All 6 episodes are available to listen now.

To get exclusive access to the bonus episode, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Host and reporter: Alexi Mostrous

Producer: Gary Marshall

Assistant producer and reporter: Claudia Williams

Executive producer: Basia Cummings

Sound design: Karla Patella

Artwork: Jon Hill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bobby is now closer than ever – and yet he keeps slipping through Kirat's grasp. After being pushed to breaking point, she makes the life changing decision to confront him – and discovers the truth...

All 6 episodes are available to listen now.

To get exclusive access to the bonus episode, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Host and reporter: Alexi Mostrous

Producer: Gary Marshall

Assistant producer and reporter: Claudia Williams

Executive producer: Basia Cummings

Sound design: Karla Patella

Artwork: Jon Hill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bobby finds his way back into Kirat's life, and their relationship grows closer – with devastating consequences. Meanwhile, Alexi investigates the sophistication of the catfishing scam. 

All 6 episodes are available to listen now.

To get exclusive access to the bonus episode, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Host and reporter: Alexi Mostrous

Producer: Gary Marshall

Assistant producer and reporter: Claudia Williams

Executive producer: Basia Cummings

Sound design: Karla Patella

Artwork: Jon Hill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirat is a successful marketer and radio presenter. Online, she’s contacted by a man she vaguely knows called Bobby, and they start chatting. Slowly, they become close… and she’s reeled in to a scam of epic proportions.

All 6 episodes are available to listen now.

To get exclusive access to the bonus episode, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Host and reporter: Alexi Mostrous

Producer: Gary Marshall

Assistant producer and reporter: Claudia Williams

Executive producer: Basia Cummings

Sound design: Karla Patella

Artwork: Jon Hill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.