cults
Kat Torres: The Wellness Influencer Suspected of Human Trafficking
The wellness guru and self-proclaimed “witch” is accused of using manipulation and hypnosis to traffic young women.
A Cult That Worships Superintelligent AI Is Looking For Big Tech Donors
Amidst the hype over ChatGPT, artists are forming religious movements to worship our future machine overlords—and change them for the better.
Followers of Charismatic New Age Influencer Accused of Two Different Murders in Alabama
“I’m not a cult leader,” said Rashad Jamal, currently in jail on child molestation charges. “I stand for righteousness.”
Thousands Are Holed Up in a Politician’s Farm, Waiting for the End of the World
The Cambodian populist with a growing cult-like following told his followers that a black hole has formed in his spine, warning him of impending biblical-level floods.
Redditors Revived an Obscure Cult That Believes a 'Mass Harvesting of Souls’ Is Imminent
Amid the pandemic, a “trance channeling” group from the 1980s has seen a resurgence online. But why now?
She Fell in Love with a Colleague. Their Boss Was a Cult Leader.
Elsje and Jeppe met at a rehab clinic, but what she didn't know was that his life was totally controlled by a charismatic founder of a kung fu sect.
Disturbing Details Keep Emerging About This Bizarre Poop-Eating Cult
11 bodies were found during a raid of the commune in Thailand, where disciples of the self-proclaimed holy man were consuming his feces and dead skin.
How One Man Tried to Build a DMT-Based Cult on Reddit and Lost Everything
In his mid-50s, a depressed, Yale-trained scientist took a potent psychedelic, saw God, and set out to spread the word. Within two years, he was dead.
‘Cult’ Leader’s Widow Accused of Grooming Girls for Him to Abuse
One woman claimed she was ushered into the room with her alleged abuser, and given antiseptic lollies to avoid mouth infections.
Why MLMs Like LuLaRoe Are Disturbingly Similar to Cults
VICE spoke with a cult expert about the parallels between LuLaRoe and the high-control groups he's spent his career studying.
Why Are People So Obsessed With YETI, the Cult-Fave Camping Brand?
It’s no longer just a brand for frat bros and fishing trips—fans of YETI's rugged, high-end gear are everywhere.
Why are Indians so Obsessed With Godmen?
Despite many gurus and babas implicated for crimes including murder, rape, tax evasion and fraud, Indians continue to flock to self-styled godmen.