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Rating

★★★★★

4.8

from

1199 reviews

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

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Introducing... One-star review

2026/07/30

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 podcastsA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus episode: The OG Satanic Panic.... where's the evidence?

2023/02/23

In this special bonus episode of Hoaxed, Alexi and Gemma catch up on what's happened since the last episode of Hoaxed went out and Alexi goes back to the original satanic panic to examine the evidence. He speaks to a professor who investigated dozens of satanic ritual abuse cases in the 1990s - and to a psychotherapist who believes that satanism is a modern-day "Auschwitz". This episode is available exclusively to Tortoise+ subscribers on Apple Podcasts, and members of Tortoise. To join Tortoise visit tortoisemedia.com/hoaxed and use the code Alexi50 for half price membership.

Bonnie and Clyde | Ep 6

2022/10/27

In the final episode of Hoaxed, Alexi confronts Abraham and Ella. about what they. did in Hampstead - and why. And the police give Alexi some surprising news. 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.

The Healer | Ep 5

2022/10/20

Alexi and his producer fly to Morocco to confront Abraham Christie - and learn dark secrets about his past. 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.

Infiltration | Ep 4

2022/10/13

All 6 episodes are available to listen for free today. You can listen to the full series ad-free and get access to exclusive bonus content coming soon by subscribing to Tortoise+ on Apple podcasts or joining Tortoise as a member where you can support the investigation and get tickets to exclusive events. Just visit the Tortoise website and use the code Alexi50 for half price membership. For a conspiracy to spread, important people need to be listening. Alexi discovers that the perpetrators of the Hampstead hoax have friends in high places, while he and the team close in on Abraham's location. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Avengers | Ep 3

2022/10/06

The perpetrators of the Hampstead hoax meet their match in an unassuming mystery novelist, who is determined to expose their lies and bring them to justice. 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.

Ella's list | Ep 2

2022/09/29

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.

Secrets and lies | Ep 1

2022/09/22

Two young children make horrific allegations in a London police station, lighting the fuse on the most serious British conspiracy theories in decades. All six episodes are now available to listen for free. You can listen to the full series ad-free and get access to exclusive bonus content coming soon by subscribing to Tortoise+ on Apple podcasts or joining Tortoise as a member where you can support the investigation and get tickets to exclusive events. Just visit the Tortoise website and use the code Alexi50 for half price membership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing: Hoaxed

2022/09/03

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. New episodes of Hoaxed launch each week, but Tortoise members and Tortoise+ subscribers on Apple Podcasts get exclusive, early and ad-free access. To access the first 5 episodes now subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise as a member, where you will also get invites to exclusive events. Visit the Tortoise website and use the code Alexi50 for half price membership for £50 per year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast reviews

Read Hoaxed podcast reviews

4.8 out of 5

1199 reviews

★★★★★

vgrobe 2026/09/08

Riveting and twisty

One of the most fascinating podcasts I’ve ever listened to and it demonstrates the beginning of internet conspiracies

★★★★★

Senornathan 2026/04/29

Excellent

This is an excellent podcast based on facts. The repeater gives the conspiracy theorists ample opportunities to provide facts to support their allegat...

★★★★★

mothermarymusic 2025/10/01

Incredible journalism

So happy there are journalists willing to risk crazy conspiracy theorists coming after them to uncover the truth. The Manipulative scam artists such a...

★★★★★

080525893279 2025/09/01

Be prepared to surrender a day

Another great job by tortoise media. Alexi does an amazing job of keeping us so tuned in that we cannot stop listening. Great listen and journalism !!

★★★★★

hiortintexas 2025/08/25

Great journalism told in a riveting way

I could not stop listening to this story. The work behind this is astonishing and the story telling is excellent. Can’t wait for more.

★★★★★

Flowers in her hair 2025/07/21

Excellent Journaliam

Very well reported. Such an important story to be detailed in the age of social media where clips of these children are seen without the full context....

★★★★★

Sunnigirl39 2025/07/11

Fascinating story

I was a teacher for many years and you realize how easy it would be to make an accusation that would destroy your life. Fortunately it never happened ...

★★★★★

Cateliper1 2025/07/03

Well written, well narrated

Alexie has a great voice for this medium. The story was fascinating and Depressing. Yes again violent men are protected while ethnic stereotypes are ...

★★★★★

Annaliese C 2025/06/17

Great podcast

Downloaded it for a long flight, I was completely captivated the entire series!

★★★★★

Edmundo Carr 2025/06/08

Great Podcast and journalism

Fantastic!

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