Seized upon by conspiracy theorists, Ella’s list of alleged cult members spreads like wildfire across the Internet. Hampstead parents start receiving death threats and lives are torn apart.

Listen to the full series today. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access to all our investigative series and daily and weekly shows, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable.

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

Two young children make horrific allegations in a London police station, lighting the fuse on the most serious British conspiracy theories in decades.

Listen to the full series today. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access to all our investigative series and daily and weekly shows, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable.

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

In 2014, two children told police a shocking story: that they were being abused by a Satanic cult; a cult headed by their father and by parents and teachers at their school in the wealthy London suburb of Hampstead. The story was a lie. But on the internet, that didn't matter. 

From the team who brought you Sweet Bobby, Hoaxed is an investigation into one of Britain's most serious-ever conspiracy theories. A story about a modern-day Satanic panic; about the victims whose lives were destroyed and about the conspiracists who spread the lie around the world. 

Oh, and it's about our hunt for the perpetrators - the people who forced the kids to lie - the ones who started it all. 

Listen to the full series today. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access to all our investigative series and daily and weekly shows, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable.

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

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

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.