Shadow World Podcast
The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - how one man controls the finances of scores of vulnerable people.
Gripping stories from the shadows - 麻豆社 investigations from across the UK
Something about this doesn't add up. In Hertfordshire towns, people who live alone are disappearing. Their neighbours are wondering why they've not seen them, or if they might have died.
Giving someone else control of your finances and decisions - through Lasting Power of Attorney - is meant to come with a guarantee that they always act in your best interest. In this series, 麻豆社 investigative reporter Sue Mitchell explores a widespread business practice where some people are moved out of their homes and left with no idea what is happening to their money.
It often involves people with little or no family to ask questions about where they are moved to, or to challenge the fees involved. It can be people who've accumulated wealth over a lifetime, whose assets are now helping to fund those who are taking decisions for them.
The series looks at the loopholes that allow it to happen and the relationship between care homes, social workers and a business taking on a huge number of powers of attorney. It begins with the concerned friends and relatives who want to know what has happened to their neighbour or loved one; Where have they gone? And why has their home been emptied and sold?
This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse.
Episodes to download
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The Willpower Detectives - Ep 7. Rescue Me—The Willpower Detectives
Last Tuesday
8/8 Sue Mitchell holds those responsible to account and finds out what more authorities can do
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The Willpower Detectives - Ep 6. Falling on Deaf Ears—The Willpower Detectives
Last Monday
7/8 A man compensated for abuse asks Sue Mitchell for help in tracking some of the money.
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The Willpower Detectives - Ep 5. Rich Pickings—The Willpower Detectives
Fri 13 Dec 2024
6/8 Sue Mitchell investigates who people turn to when they fear vulnerable friends need help.
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The Willpower Detectives - Ep 4. Undue Influence—The Willpower Detectives
Thu 12 Dec 2024
5/8 Pam and Sylvie are worried and ask journalist Sue Mitchell for help finding their friend.
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The Willpower Detectives - Ep 3. My Dying Wish—The Willpower Detectives
Wed 11 Dec 2024
4/8 The story of the rock and roll roadie who left everything he owned to his best friends.
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The Willpower Detectives - Ep 2. A Trust Betrayed—The Willpower Detectives
Tue 10 Dec 2024
3/8 Sue Mitchell continues her investigation into how Power of Attorney orders are being used.
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The Willpower Detectives - Ep 1. The Doorstep Stranger—The Willpower Detectives
Mon 9 Dec 2024
2/8 The story of a missing woman and neighbours who ask for help to find where she has gone.
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Introducing The Willpower Detectives—The Willpower Detectives
Thu 5 Dec 2024
1/8 Power of Attorney 鈥� what can go wrong? Concerned neighbours ask Sue Mitchell for help.
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Thief at the British Museum: 9. An Ending, a Beginning—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 27 May 2024
10/10 Ittai hands over his gems. But will we ever know what else the Museum has lost?
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Thief at the British Museum: 8. Stateside—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 27 May 2024
9/10 Katie discovers the eBay seller has customers in the US - one with hundreds of gems.
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Thief at the British Museum: 7. Treasure Hunt—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 27 May 2024
Katie and Ittai鈥檚 hunt for gems leads them across Europe
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Thief at the British Museum: 6. Lone Wolf or Scapegoat?—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 27 May 2024
7/10 Peter Higgs is sacked, but the British Museum鈥檚 director turns on Ittai.
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Thief at the British Museum: 5. Secret Missions—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 27 May 2024
6/10 A story of history disregarded, beauty destroyed, and trust betrayed.
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Thief at the British Museum: 4. Seeds of Doubt—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 27 May 2024
5/10 Ittai is convinced he has found his thief, but not everyone is so sure.
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Thief at the British Museum: 3. Lightbulb Moment—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 27 May 2024
4/10 For Ittai, the clues finally fall into place. Has he identified the thief?
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Thief at the British Museum: 2. White Paper Dots—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 27 May 2024
3/10 Ittai Gradel discovers a seemingly endless supply of precious gemstones.
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Thief at the British Museum: 1. The Man with the Cardboard Box—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 27 May 2024
2/10 People have called him Sherlock Holmes, if Holmes were Danish and obsessed with gems.
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Introducing... Thief at the British Museum—Thief at the British Museum
Mon 20 May 2024
1/10 A story of history disregarded, beauty destroyed, and trust betrayed.
