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Hoaxed

Tortoise Media


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.


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

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  • 8 episodes
  • Avg 32 min
  • English
  • S1 · E7
    July 30 · 37 min

    Introducing... One-star review

    The Slow Newscast can be listened to here. When Ali, a restaurateur, realised his mobile’s security had been breached and that random things were missing from his flat, he began to feel uneasy. Was he being targeted for his politics or his personal life? And more importantly, who could stop it? The Slow Newscast from The Observer takes the news slowly. 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. Subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription: Early access, bonus content and ad-free listening to our podcasts A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Recipes for every occasion Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E6
    Oct 27, 2022 · 46 min

    Bonnie and Clyde | Ep 6

    In the final episode of Hoaxed, Alexi confronts Abraham and Ella.

  • S1 · E5
    Oct 20, 2022 · 27 min

    The Healer | Ep 5

    Alexi and his producer fly to Morocco to find Abraham Christie.

  • S1 · E4
    Oct 13, 2022 · 27 min

    Infiltration | Ep 4

    Alexi discovers that the perpetrators of the Hampstead hoax have friends in high places.

  • S1 · E3
    Oct 6, 2022 · 42 min

    The Avengers | Ep 3

    The perpetrators of the Hampstead hoax meet their match in an unassuming mystery novelist.

  • S1 · E2
    Sep 29, 2022 · 41 min

    Ella's list | Ep 2

    Ella’s list of alleged cult members spreads like wildfire across the Internet.

  • S1 · E1
    Sep 22, 2022 · 36 min

    Secrets and lies | Ep 1

    Two young children make horrific allegations in a London police station.

Showing 1–8 of 8 episodes