

Intrigue
BBC Radio 4
Next On Intrigue: Ransom Man.What would you do if your deepest secrets were held to ransom? Jenny Kleeman investigates one of the world's most audacious hacks.
When a shocking data breach takes place at a Finnish psychotherapy service, the nation’s darkest secrets are held to ransom by a faceless hacker. He calls himself ransom_man.
Award-winning journalist Jenny Kleeman (BBC Radio 4’s The Gift) traces the story from the first extortion email to the hunt to find the hacker and bring him to justice.
We all have some thoughts we’d never write down. Now, just imagine that a criminal had got hold of those thoughts, and was threatening to publish them for all the world to see if you didn’t pay to stop him. Jenny finds out what kind of person is prepared to terrorise a nation like this, and the lengths people will go to fight back. On the way, she’ll discover that the origins of this dark crime stretch far beyond Finland. Her extraordinary quest leads her around the world and to unexpected places, bringing Jenny face to face with victims, investigators, police and notorious hackers themselves.
It is a cautionary tale about something that could happen anywhere, to any of us, again and again.
Jenny will learn just how vulnerable our deepest secrets can be – and the enormous power that hackers now have to hold our inner lives to ransom.Intrigue: 'Jaw-dropping', 'gripping', 'bingeable,' 'thrilling' - dramatic true stories and investigations that reveal how the world really works.
When a shocking data breach takes place at a Finnish psychotherapy service, the nation’s darkest secrets are held to ransom by a faceless hacker. He calls himself ransom_man.
Award-winning journalist Jenny Kleeman (BBC Radio 4’s The Gift) traces the story from the first extortion email to the hunt to find the hacker and bring him to justice.
We all have some thoughts we’d never write down. Now, just imagine that a criminal had got hold of those thoughts, and was threatening to publish them for all the world to see if you didn’t pay to stop him. Jenny finds out what kind of person is prepared to terrorise a nation like this, and the lengths people will go to fight back. On the way, she’ll discover that the origins of this dark crime stretch far beyond Finland. Her extraordinary quest leads her around the world and to unexpected places, bringing Jenny face to face with victims, investigators, police and notorious hackers themselves.
It is a cautionary tale about something that could happen anywhere, to any of us, again and again.
Jenny will learn just how vulnerable our deepest secrets can be – and the enormous power that hackers now have to hold our inner lives to ransom.Intrigue: 'Jaw-dropping', 'gripping', 'bingeable,' 'thrilling' - dramatic true stories and investigations that reveal how the world really works.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 16, 2018 • 4min
The Ratline: Trailer
A story of love, denial and a curious death presented by Philippe Sands.

Mar 17, 2017 • 21min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 5
Discover how the shocking murder of British businessman Neil Heywood set off a political earthquake in China. The narrative uncovers the scandalous trial of a politician's wife, revealing financial motives behind her confession. Delve into the political rivalry that led to Bo Xilai's dramatic downfall and how personal ambitions fueled betrayals. The podcast also touches on Bo Guagua's reflections on his family's legacy and aspirations, leaving listeners pondering the intricate web of power and ambition.

Mar 10, 2017 • 22min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 4
A mysterious death at the Lucky Holiday Hotel unravels a web of political intrigue and family secrets. Key figures, including Gu Kailai and Wang Lijun, are drawn into an international scandal that captivates the media. The dual life of a Chinese student at Oxford juxtaposes privilege with academic struggles amid scandals. Meanwhile, political ties between China and Britain deepen as the story of Neil Haywood's death raises questions of espionage and motive. The sensational trial reveals the dark interplay of power, influence, and justice in modern China.

Mar 3, 2017 • 19min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 3
Dive into the gripping mystery of Neil Heywood's death in a Chongqing hotel suite. Unravel the intertwining tales of ambition, corruption, and political upheaval under an iron-fisted police chief. Discover the dramatic dynamics between powerful personalities and the intense paranoia that permeates the landscape. Follow the shocking developments of a suspicious murder cover-up that captures global attention, escalating tensions and unveiling hidden rivalries. This tale of sex, death, and politics will leave you questioning the truth.

Feb 24, 2017 • 23min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 2
Meet the mayor and uncover the tangled web of elite politics in China. Explore the dramatic life of Bo Xilai, marked by ambition and betrayal alongside his enigmatic wife, Gu Kailai. Unravel the chilling circumstances surrounding Neil Haywood's death and the high-stakes power struggles that led to it. Discover how personal ambitions can collide with political machinations, all while a tense atmosphere envelops Chongqing, foreshadowing danger and intrigue at the Lucky Holiday Hotel.

Feb 17, 2017 • 23min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 1
A mysterious murder reshapes Chinese politics as Carrie Gracie investigates the shocking death of British citizen Neil Heywood in Chongqing. The narrative reveals intricate connections between the victim, a powerful couple, and a dramatic show trial. Delve into Gu Kailai's tumultuous journey from privilege to hardship amid political chaos. Explore themes of betrayal, deceit, and high-stakes financial maneuvers within China's elite, all while uncovering the dark truths hidden behind wealth and power.

Feb 15, 2017 • 31sec
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Trailer
The story of the mysterious murder that changed the course of Chinese politics.


