World of Secrets
BBC
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: Death in Dubai. A woman falls from a tower block. It's caught on camera and the clip goes viral. Within hours, Mona Kizz’s name is trending worldwide. In death, the beautiful 23-year-old Ugandan is accused of being a #DubaiPortaPotty. With over 450 million views on TikTok, the hashtag leads to parodies and speculative exposés of women suspected of being paid by men to be their human toilet. But nothing is as it seems. Behind the online rumours lies an even darker reality. 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 24, 2025 • 40min
The Six Billion Dollar Gold Scam: 1. The fall
World of Secrets presents The Six Billion Dollar Gold Scam. Bre-X geologist Michael de Guzman is the man of the hour. He’s responsible for one of the biggest gold discoveries in the world, deep in the Indonesian jungle. It’s a find that sends Bre-X stock prices soaring to stratospheric heights. So his apparent death — a dramatic fall from a helicopter flying to the gold site — sends shockwaves around the world. Did he jump? Was he pushed? But the days following his death will prove even more shocking. Please note, this episode contains difficult subject matter, including references to suicide and death. The series has references to suicide and some graphic content. This podcast was first published in May 2024.
Feb 24, 2025 • 4min
World of Secrets presents: The Six Billion Dollar Gold Scam
It was the biggest gold mine fraud of all time – a scam that devastated countless lives. But what really happened? Suzanne Wilton revisits the story that she just couldn’t let go of, to find answers about how the scam was perpetrated…and about the mysterious death of a geologist in the jungle. From the BBC World Service and CBC.The Six Billion Dollar Gold Scam was first published in May 2024.
Feb 19, 2025 • 5min
What’s happening next?
World of Secrets teams are working on new investigations. Now you’ve finished listening to The Bad Guru, we are preparing six more seasons. Also, we have updates on previous investigations, including The Abercrombie Guys and Al Fayed, Predator at Harrods. Follow or subscribe now, so you get all future seasons and episodes.World of Secrets is the global investigations podcast from the BBC: Uncovering stories around the world and telling them, episode by episode, with gripping storytelling.
10 snips
Jan 13, 2025 • 28min
The Bad Guru: 6. The Return
Miranda's shocking return to Paris unveils dark ties between a yoga movement and criminal allegations. A former member shares their painful journey from disillusionment to reclaiming identity. The power of spiritual community is explored, highlighting how shared experiences foster deep connections. We also dive into the manipulative tactics of spiritual groups that fracture family bonds, promoting loyalty to a 'spiritual family.' Lastly, a powerful dialogue unfolds on transforming trauma into strength, underscoring the importance of emotional support.
10 snips
Jan 6, 2025 • 29min
The Bad Guru: 5. The Breakthrough
Miranda confronts her mother about her life in a controversial yoga community, revealing the thin line between spirituality and exploitation. Tensions rise as she recounts her experiences in a group led by the manipulative guru Gregorian, who dismisses her story. From yoga to a harsh reality of sex work, her journey unveils painful truths about trauma, betrayal, and the struggle for justice against her former leader. As former members seek closure, reflections on loyalty and the fight for authenticity emerge in this gripping narrative.
8 snips
Dec 30, 2024 • 29min
The Bad Guru: 4. The Guru
A spiritual journey turns alarming when Miranda confronts her guru, finding herself physically repulsed yet entwined in his manipulative world. As bizarre rituals unfold, she grapples with emotional trauma and the dark power dynamics of a cult-like community. The chilling revelation of a 'Kill List' deepens the sense of danger, while her quest for acceptance reveals the fragile line between connection and exploitation. Ultimately, Miranda's struggle to escape entwines her spirituality with stark realities of manipulation and human trafficking.
24 snips
Dec 23, 2024 • 29min
The Bad Guru: 3. The Transformation
Miranda embarks on a secretive journey to meet the controversial guru Gregorian Bivolaru, leaving her life behind. As she navigates the ominous underworld of the Atman yoga movement, unsettling revelations surface about the guru's dark past. Participants in a secluded retreat confront bizarre rituals and psychological manipulation, questioning the cost of their spiritual aspirations. Tension escalates as they arrive at a hidden location, stripped of personal belongings, leading to a profound transformation amid swirling allegations of misconduct.
22 snips
Dec 16, 2024 • 29min
The Bad Guru: 2. The Technique
Miranda embarks on a two-week yoga festival in Romania, grappling with strict rules and her own doubts about spiritual growth. The narrative delves into the intersections of spirituality, femininity, and sexuality, spotlighting a controversial competition that raises eyebrows. The podcast also reflects on how a unique yoga movement emerged in post-communist Romania, blending personal journeys with societal change. Additionally, it touches upon a historical bombing event, connecting the past's intensity to contemporary discussions.
10 snips
Dec 9, 2024 • 29min
The Bad Guru: 1. The Retreat
Miranda's journey at a London yoga school takes an unsettling turn during a retreat filled with hidden tensions. The podcast explores allegations of manipulation and exploitation within a seemingly serene environment. Participants share emotional stories of coercion and the blurred lines of consent in group settings. Troubling rituals and stark contrasts between spiritual intentions and sexual dynamics reveal dark undercurrents in a quest for enlightenment. The allure of spiritual promises is contrasted with the harsh realities that keep members enmeshed.
Dec 6, 2024 • 2min
The Bad Guru: The Trailer
Miranda’s search for inner peace through yoga leads to allegations of grooming, trafficking and exploitation. “You just get sucked in so gradually... that you don't realize,” says her mother Penny. This series contains explicit sexual content, some strong language and allegations of sexual exploitation.
