Filthy Ritual

Global

This is a story about a scam. But this isn’t any old scam. At the turn of the 21st century, set in one of London's most wealthy suburbs, Hampstead, Juliette D'Souza wreaked havoc on a number of people's lives. She became filthy rich, and one of the most prolific con women in British history. Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, the soulmates behind the hit true crime podcast, Redhanded, are on the case. They speak to the reporters who travelled to Suriname to track Juliette down, one of Britain's leading shamans and the victims who came together in search of justice. Full series available now. read less

Our Editor's Take

Who is Juliette D'Souza, and how did she scam her way into riches? On the Filthy Ritual podcast, Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala reveal her story. They get as close to the truth as they possibly can. With such a notorious con woman as Juliette, the facts remain elusive.

Cohosts Suruthi and Hannah marvel at the wealth Juliette amassed. Their spellbinding narration reveals a mysterious world of cash, cons, and charisma. Lies and seduction aren't the only methods of a con woman. Magic and manipulation are also present. How did a group of journalists and angry neighbors stop her reign of terror? Each episode of the Filthy Ritual podcast reveals another layer of her story.

The story begins in Hampstead, London, where Juliette encounters Keith Bender. Keith is a wealthy and strange man suffering from mental and physical afflictions. Since he was already a believer in pseudoscience, she thought Keith was easy prey. When Juliette told him she was a shaman and could cure him, he gave her all the money she requested. He followed her to Suriname, where he met with "Pa," a shaman who would fix all his problems. After returning, Keith recommended Juliette's services to his rich neighbors and friends. Over the next decade, the money in Juliette's account piled up. One elderly victim, Sylvia Eaves, paid her over 200,000 pounds that she begged and borrowed for. Juliette needed cash for her healing sacrifices, and her clients were eager to help. It seemed Juliette could ward off evil spirits, guarantee surgical outcomes, and cure infertility.

Somehow, by some strange power, Juliette instilled blind faith in her victims. They did what she told them, even if it was aborting wanted babies or hanging money on magic trees. Filthy Ritual investigates the thrilling and troubling story of Juliette. How did she finally get caught, and what did people find out about her when they stripped away her lies? Listeners will hear the details of her trial, from her victims, and what motivated Juliette's impressive con. True crime fans may appreciate this six-episode podcast.

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53 Minutes: Kicking Off 19th March - 53 Minutes

53 Minutes: Kicking Off 19th March - 53 Minutes

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Episodes

53 Minutes: Kicking Off 19th March - 53 Minutes

53 Minutes: Kicking Off 19th March - 53 Minutes

Ali Dia - it's a name synonymous with footballing failure. How did a below average footballer find his way onto the sport's most elite stage, the Premier League?Josh Widdicombe and Dara Ó Briain preview their new 6-part podcast series, in which they unearth the weird and wonderful truth behind the biggest mystery in football history.The series kicks off on Tuesday 19th March.

6. An Epiphany at the Hampstead Toy Boat Pond

6. An Epiphany at the Hampstead Toy Boat Pond

The trial is over, this should be the end of it. But as they gather on the steps of Blackfriars Court, Keith, Maria and Sylvia hear rumours of a new scam that’s been unfolding right under their noses.  Filthy Ritual is a Global Original podcast, produced by Global and Novel. In partnership with Dentsu Entertainment. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard in this podcast or think you, or someone you know, may have been scammed, you're not alone and there's support available. Age UK has helpful advice and information for anyone who thinks they’ve been scammed. Action Fraud can be contacted any time day or night, or you can call the Action Fraud team on 0300 123 2040. Victim Support or Think Jessica provide emotional and practical help to victims of crimes and scams Contact the 24-hour Samaritans helpline on 116 123 if you feel low or anxious and need someone to talk to.

5. The Paper Trail Trial

5. The Paper Trail Trial

At Blackfriars Crown Court, a long-awaited trial is about to commence. It could finally bring justice to this group of Hampstead victims. But Juliette D’Souza’s defence team are about to develop a new theory about who is really responsible for the last two decades of ‘magic’ and manipulation. Filthy Ritual is a Global Original podcast, produced by Global and Novel. In partnership with Dentsu Entertainment. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard in this podcast or think you, or someone you know, may have been scammed, you're not alone and there's support available. Age UK has helpful advice and information for anyone who thinks they’ve been scammed. Action Fraud can be contacted any time day or night, or you can call the Action Fraud team on 0300 123 2040. Victim Support or Think Jessica provide emotional and practical help to victims of crimes and scams.

4. How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

4. How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

Sylvia Eaves, a retired Opera singer with a knack for making friends, who lost thousands of pounds to Juliette D’Souza finds herself back in the thrall of the healer of Hampstead. But this time, Juliette hasn’t counted on one DIY detective who will stand in her way: An intrepid nurse and amateur detective named Maria Feeney.  Filthy Ritual is a Global Original podcast, produced by Global and Novel. In partnership with Dentsu Entertainment. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard in this podcast or think you, or someone you know, may have been scammed, you're not alone and there's support available. Age UK has helpful advice and information for anyone who thinks they’ve been scammed. Action Fraud can be contacted any time day or night, or you can call the Action Fraud team on 0300 123 2040. Victim Support or Think Jessica provide emotional and practical help to victims of crimes and scams.

3. Wherefore Art Thou Juliette?

3. Wherefore Art Thou Juliette?

In the face of apathy and ridicule from the police, Keith Bender takes his allegations about Juliette D’Souza to the only avenue that’s left to him: the media.  A few months later, a newly formed investigative team of plucky journalists touch down in Suriname for the reporting adventure of a lifetime.Filthy Ritual is a Global Original podcast, produced by Global and Novel. In partnership with Dentsu Entertainment. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard in this podcast or think you, or someone you know, may have been scammed, you're not alone and there's support available. Age UK has helpful advice and information for anyone who thinks they’ve been scammed. Action Fraud can be contacted any time day or night, or you can call the Action Fraud team on 0300 123 2040. Victim Support or Think Jessica provide emotional and practical help to victims of crimes and scams.

2. The Spirits Are Always Watching

2. The Spirits Are Always Watching

Keith starts spreading the word about Juliette D’Souza’s ‘powers’. Little by little, Juliette’s client base expands across Hampstead, as her promises of miracle cures captivate more and more of its residents.  All is not well. Under Juliette’s influence, Keith has lost control of his own life. After she goes missing, Keith is left to reckon with her real identity.  Filthy Ritual is a Global Original podcast, produced by Global and Novel. In partnership with Dentsu Entertainment. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard in this podcast or think you, or someone you know, may have been scammed, you're not alone and there's support available. Age UK has helpful advice and information for anyone who thinks they’ve been scammed. Action Fraud can be contacted any time day or night, or you can call the Action Fraud team on 0300 123 2040. Victim Support or Think Jessica provide emotional and practical help to victims of crimes and scams.

1. The Healer of Hampstead

1. The Healer of Hampstead

An eccentric osteopath, Keith Bender, meets a charming, mysterious woman named Juliette D’Souza. Keith’s life is falling apart, and Juliette seems to know just how to fix it. She wins his trust and whisks him off on a journey to meet a shamanic healer in Suriname, changing his life forever. Soon, she’s bringing her supernatural influence into the heart of the bohemian London suburb where Keith worked: Hampstead.  Filthy Ritual is a Global Original podcast, produced by Global and Novel. In partnership with Dentsu Entertainment. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard in this podcast or think you, or someone you know, may have been scammed, you're not alone and there's support available. Age UK has helpful advice and information for anyone who thinks they’ve been scammed. Action Fraud can be contacted any time day or night, or you can call the Action Fraud team on 0300 123 2040. Victim Support or Think Jessica provide emotional and practical help to victims of crimes and scams.

Filthy Ritual - Trailer

Filthy Ritual - Trailer

This is a story about a scam. But this isn’t any old scam. There's shamanism, a 'tree of life' in the jungle of Suriname, a bathing ritual in a dark rusty red lake, voodoo dolls, black magic and envelopes jammed full of sacrificial cash. There's even a wild capuchin monkey called Joey.At the turn of the 21st century, set in one of London's most wealthy suburbs, Hampstead, Juliette D'Souza wreaked havoc on a number of people's lives. Described by her neighbours as 'a knife in a velvet glove', D'Souza claimed to have a special connection to an ancient source of power and wisdom, deep in the Amazonian jungle. She became filthy rich, and one of the most prolific con women in British history. Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, the soulmates behind the hit true crime podcast, Redhanded, are on the case. They speak to the reporters who travelled to Suriname to track Juliette down, one of Britain's leading shamans and the victims who came together in search of justice.This is a true story so bizarre, you might not believe your ears.All 6 episodes will be available from April 19th on Global Player. Download it now from the App Store or go to https://www.globalplayer.com