Scams are no longer run by individuals. Instead, the bulk of scams now come from a network of high-security compounds in SE Asia, where an estimated 400,000 people live in slavery and are forced to run scams 24/7. In this multi-part video podcast, we'll dive into the terrifying world of 'scammer farms'. We'll meet people who've been trapped and escaped — and others who are desperately trying to rein in this exploding new business model.
This is a What It Was Like Special
Produced by Superreal
Hosted by Julian Morgans
Find us on TikTok, and YouTube
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Global investigations from the BBC. Uncovering stories around the world and telling them, episode by episode, with gripping storytelling. Delve into a World of Secrets. Latest season: The Killing Call. The murder of Indian music star Sidhu Moose Wala sent shock waves around the world. He was one of India’s biggest stars - a rebel who refused to be silenced. Sidhu Moose Wala was gunned down in rural Punjab, at the height of his success. Who wanted him killed? This is the hunt for answers in a murder that won’t be forgotten. A two-year-long investigation that exposes a tangled web of fame, power and vengeance and uncovers a criminal underworld that reaches far beyond India's borders. Also, previously on World of Secrets: Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods. Women accuse Mohamed Al Fayed of rape. And: The Abercrombie Guys. Investigating sexual exploitation claims against the former CEO of fashion giant Abercrombie & Fitch.
The Slow Newscast from The Observer takes the news slowly. We investigate, and every week we focus on stories that really matter in the UK and around the world. From wars in Ukraine and Gaza through to true crime and injustice and real life mysteries, The Slow Newscast team is devoted to narrative investigations covering some of the biggest topics of the day.
Who are the people biohacking themselves in a quest for immortality? Or the man taking on an entire nation in the high seas to protect whales? And what happened when humanity's most distant messenger fell silent? From a newsroom with a different approach to journalism these are the stories we tell.
To find out more about The Observer:
Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content
Head to our website observer.co.uk
Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
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 hello@tortoisemedia.com
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Introducing... Hoaxed, the new series from Alexi Mostrous and Tortoise, who brought you Sweet Bobby.
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.
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.
All 6 episodes are available now to listen for free. You can listen to the full series ad-free and get access to exclusive bonus content by downloading the Tortoise audio app or subscribing to Tortoise+ on Apple podcasts. Or join Tortoise as a member, where you can access more of our reporting, live events and support our work. Just visit the Tortoise website and use the code Alexi50 for half price membership.
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Kirat and Bobby have an unusual relationship. The circumstances of their individual lives mean it’s difficult for them to meet face to face but, despite everything, they end up falling in love.
Their romance might play out online but in many ways it’s a traditional love story. Until Kirat discovers the disturbing truth.
Sweet Bobby is the #1 chart-topping, award-winning series about a sophisticated ten year scam that almost destroyed one woman’s life, and the investigation into the catfisher behind it all.
If you want to listen to more thought-provoking investigations, head to Tortoise Investigates - the home of all our investigative podcasts.
To find out more about The Observer:
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Real Life Ghost Stories is a podcast dedicated to real life paranormal stories. Every Sunday we deep dive into a famous paranormal case or claim (with a brief horror film review to kick off the episode). Every Wednesday and Friday we release a mini episode which is full to the brim of paranormal stories from our listeners.
Email us your stories at: reallifeghoststoriespodcast@gmail.com
Why not support us on patreon: patreon.com/reallifeghoststories
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A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues.
From Trump’s new world order, to protests in Turkey, to the headphone revolution, The Documentary investigates major global stories.
We delve into social media, take you into the minds of the world’s most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. Every week, we also bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives.
A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations, The Fifth Floor and Trending.
Introducing...The Lab Detective
Kathleen Folbigg experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths were unexplained. Until a police detective turned up at her door, and arrested Kathleen on suspicion of murder.
She was labelled ‘Australia's worst female serial killer’, convicted, and was destined to spend most of the rest of her life in jail.
Until a different type of detective entered her life. A scientist working in a lab who uncovered the truth behind the deaths.
This is the story of a shocking miscarriage of justice, but as journalist Rachel Sylvester starts to investigate how this happened, she learns that Kathleen is not alone – other mothers have endured the same fate, and may also be in prison.
The Lab Detective is a story about the power of science, and the determination of those searching for the truth.
The first 3 episodes are available to listen now.
To listen to the full series now, subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or download the Tortoise app.
Our thanks to The Francis Crick Institute for sharing recordings and insights.
You can watch a short documentary on the genomics team behind Kathleen Folbigg's case filmed at the Crick.
Reporters: Rachel Sylvester
Producer: Gary Marshall
Executive editor: Basia Cummings
Music supervisor: Karla Patella
Sound design: Rowan Bishop
Artwork: Lola Williams
Fact checking: Ada Barume and Madeline Parr
To find out more about The Observer:
Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content
Head to our website observer.co.uk
Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
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 hello@tortoisemedia.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Whispering Woods is a podcast devoted to the darker side of life. Join us every Sunday as we discuss and share true, scary stories of the paranormal from ancient folklore to modern hauntings.
Using immersive audio, The Whispering Woods transports listeners to another time, or even realm. Join us as we explore the unimaginable and terrifying, relaying tales of the supernatural from poltergeists to cryptids, The Hat Man to skinwalkers.
Visit our website www.thewhisperingwoodspodcast.com
Contact us at thewhisperingwoodspodcast@gmail.com
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America through the looking glass - enter a world where nothing is as it seems.
As America heads into a presidential election, Gabriel Gatehouse dives back into the labyrinthine rabbit warren of American conspiracy culture. Whilst liberals across the world worry about a possible return of Donald Trump, millions of Americans are convinced that their democracy has already been highjacked - by a sinister Deep State cabal. How did this happen? And who is behind it? That's the story that Gabriel Gatehouse is investigating in this series of The Coming Storm.
The search for the origins of this story takes Gabriel inside a paranoid political group that tried to build its own Deep State during the Cold War, now back in fashion in the conservative backwaters of western mountain states. Gabriel meets the January 6 rioters running for office who see their detention as political imprisonment in gulags, and the militia men convinced the CIA and FBI are working against the American people. In the background lurk the tech utopian ideologues, using their vast wealth and power to fund conspiracy flavoured content as they work to create sovereign states free of all government control. And online, amateur finance bros foment distrust of government, central banks and giant financial institutions to millions of followers.
What were once fringe ideas have burst into the mainstream. Conspiracy theories have become central planks of Trump's Republican Party, while Democrats run on dark warnings about the end of democracy. With both sides convinced the other is an existential threat, what are the prospects for the survival of the American political system?