The Psychic “Cleansing” Scam That Turned Vulnerability into Profit

By Jon Donnis

A federal case in the United States has put a familiar but still deeply unsettling type of fraud back under the microscope. According to an indictment from the Western District of Washington, a Texas couple allegedly ran a long-running scheme that targeted emotionally vulnerable people with promises of psychic intervention, spiritual cleansing and relief from imagined curses. The reality, prosecutors say, was far simpler. It was fraud dressed up as mysticism.

Bridgette Doreen Evans, also known as “Jolene Travis”, aged 47, and her partner Vinnie John Uwanawich, aged 44, are accused of conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud, alongside multiple counts of both offences. The allegations suggest a coordinated operation that stretched over several years and drained at least $2.5 million from victims who believed they were seeking help for their personal and emotional struggles.

As alleged in the indictment, the approach was not random. It was targeted. Victims were drawn in during periods of emotional instability, including divorce, bereavement, isolation and general distress. Evans allegedly used social media to present herself as a psychic capable of diagnosing and resolving romantic misfortune. The framing was deliberate. People were not simply offered vague fortune telling. They were told their suffering had a cause, and more importantly, that it could be fixed.

“As alleged in the indictment, these perpetrators of ‘fortune teller fraud’ came into the lives of these victims at a time when their judgement was clouded by emotional loss and feelings of hopelessness,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. “Ms. Evans preyed upon their needs, convincing victims that she could ‘remove a curse’ and help them find love. In truth her scheme was simply to help herself to their wealth, leaving them further devastated.”

That description captures the central mechanism of the alleged scam. It was not built on convincing evidence or supernatural demonstration. It was built on emotional dependency. Once trust was established, the narrative reportedly shifted from general readings to specific claims of spiritual contamination. Victims were told that a curse was responsible for their misfortune, and that this curse had become attached to their finances.

From that point, the indictment alleges, the scheme became transactional.

Victims were reportedly asked to provide detailed information about their financial holdings. They were then instructed to liquidate assets, withdraw funds, or convert money into gold coins or cash. These assets were supposedly required for spiritual cleansing. The promise was consistent. Once the cleansing ritual was complete, the money would be returned.

It was never returned in any meaningful way, according to prosecutors.

Instead, the funds were allegedly absorbed into the operation. While small amounts were sometimes returned to victims, investigators say this functioned as a psychological tool rather than a gesture of honesty. These partial repayments helped sustain belief in the process, making later and larger transfers more likely.

The scale of the alleged losses varied. One victim is said to have transferred more than $2 million in cash and gold coins. Another reportedly sent around $86,000 through electronic payments for cleansing services. A third victim allegedly lost over $258,000 after being persuaded to take out loans to purchase a Corvette for Evans and to provide access to credit cards in order to clear what were described as “karmic debts”.

That last detail is particularly striking, not because of its extravagance, but because of its psychological framing. Debt was not presented as a financial problem. It was reframed as a spiritual condition requiring payment through increasingly irrational means.

According to the indictment, Evans also operated under additional names including Joy John and Joy Paige. The use of aliases is presented as a deliberate attempt to conceal identity, particularly given allegations that she had prior convictions related to psychic fraud in other jurisdictions. At various points, the scheme allegedly continued through intermediaries while Evans was incarcerated, with the “Jolene Travis” identity maintained to preserve continuity with victims.

Her partner, Uwanawich, is accused of playing a supporting but essential role. Prosecutors allege he managed financial accounts that received victim payments, facilitated the sale of gold coins, and helped move and spend proceeds from the scheme. He also allegedly reinforced Evans’ credibility when interacting with victims, acting as an additional layer of reassurance in what was presented as a legitimate spiritual service.

From a skeptical standpoint, the case follows a pattern that is depressingly consistent across many so called psychic frauds. The structure is not dependent on supernatural belief itself, but on emotional leverage. Vulnerability is identified, trust is built, a problem is diagnosed, and a costly solution is offered that cannot be independently verified.

The language of curses and cleansing plays a crucial role in that structure. It removes the possibility of objective testing. If a curse cannot be measured, it also cannot be disproved in a way that would immediately end the scam. If cleansing does not appear to work, the explanation is always deferred. More time is needed. More energy must be removed. More money must be invested.

This elasticity is what makes such scams so persistent. They are not broken by failure. They adapt to it.

“This case is yet another demonstration of how fraudsters exploit vulnerable situations to gain their victims' trust, even creating fake identities in an attempt to evade accountability and further schemes that last years,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “The schemes may change, but the greed driving them does not. The FBI and our partners will follow the money to unravel these scams and ensure the conspirators responsible face the consequences of their actions.”

Legally, Evans and Uwanawich are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The charges they face carry potential penalties of up to twenty years in prison if convicted. For investigators, however, the case is already part of a broader category of fraud that continues to evolve but rarely changes in principle.

At its core, it is not about psychic ability. It is about trust being redirected into financial exploitation. The mechanics are simple. The consequences are not.

And while the language of curses and spiritual cleansing may sound archaic, the conditions that allow it to thrive remain very modern indeed. Emotional distress, online contact, and the promise that someone, somewhere, can remove suffering for a price.

By Jon Donnis

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When “Psychic Powers” Meet Reality: The Maria Williams Fraud Case

By Jon Donnis

Maria Williams, a 50-year-old from Lakemba, has pleaded guilty to four fraud offences linked to allegations that she spent years convincing people she could solve their problems through psychic “blessings”.

Court reporting describes how Williams presented herself as a “Master Psychic” and used names such as Celina and Anna. The pitch was always similar. People were told their troubles were not ordinary at all, but caused by curses, bad spiritual energy or unseen forces that only she could fix. The solution, naturally, involved money. Sometimes large sums of it.

Over time, victims handed over thousands, in some cases well into six figures, for cleansing rituals and blessings that were promised to restore balance and return their finances. That second part, according to court material, did not quite go to plan.

One woman reportedly gave around 225,000 dollars over several years after being told psychic intervention could save her marriage. Another handed over about 73,400 dollars in the mid 2010s, later recovered after police stepped in. In another case, a mother gave cash and gold coins for what she was told were protective blessings for her son. There was also a victim who lost around 164,000 dollars after selling her home, only to end up in severe financial difficulty.

Williams was arrested at Sydney International Airport in August 2024 and has remained in custody. Her husband, Larry Williams, also pleaded guilty to dealing with proceeds of crime linked to one of the victims and received an 18 month sentence.

There is a simple lesson buried in all of this, even if it is an uncomfortable one. Claims of special powers that require secrecy, fear, or ever increasing payments tend not to end well for the people paying the bills. Fraud cases like this show how long some schemes can run before they finally unravel, and how often they rely on trust, vulnerability, and desperation.

They also tend to end in the same way. Eventually, the paperwork catches up, the evidence is tested in court, and the people running the operation find themselves explaining it all in front of a judge rather than a client.

For anyone tempted by promises of instant spiritual fixes for money, health or life problems, this case is a reminder that extraordinary claims usually deserve ordinary scepticism. And for those running the schemes, it is also a reminder that even long running cons do not stay hidden forever.

Perth Couple’s Lotto Win Rewrites a Long-Held Clairvoyant Claim

By Jon Donnis

A Perth couple are still trying to process a sudden $1 million Lotto win after their numbers finally came up in last Monday’s Millionaire Medley draw, turning an ordinary weekly routine into something they are still struggling to believe.

According to a local news report, the win came for the northern suburbs pair after years of playing the same numbers each week, a habit that eventually aligned with the winning combination. For now, they are holding back from telling family while they adjust to the reality of what has happened, still describing themselves as completely overwhelmed by it.

“We aren’t quite ready to tell them yet because we are still gobsmacked and we feel like deer in the headlights,” the wife said, reflecting how unreal the moment still feels.

What makes the story stand out for them is not just the money, but the history attached to it. The woman previously shared tickets with her daughter, until a visit to a clairvoyant years ago changed that arrangement entirely.

“I used to play weekly in a shared ticket with my daughter, but many years ago, she dragged me with her to see a clairvoyant,” she said. “When the clairvoyant told her, ‘You don’t need to worry about your parents, they will be comfortable, but they won’t win Lotto or anything’, she decided she didn’t want to play with me any more.”

That prediction effectively ended the shared play, and now sits awkwardly in contrast to the outcome that followed. With a million-dollar win now secured, the couple are left with the simple fact that the forecast did not match reality, something they will eventually be telling their family when they reveal the news.

The couple say their plans are firmly grounded in family life, with overseas travel, home improvements and support for their grandchildren all part of what they intend to do with the money.

The husband admitted the win nearly did not happen at all, saying his routine is so fixed that even buying the ticket can sometimes slip his mind.

“I play the same numbers every week, across the week,” he said. “I get the ticket on Sunday, and then wait until the end of the week to check, so when Lotterywest called me, I didn’t pick up at first.”

Lotterywest spokesperson Jennie Fitzhardinge noted that delayed responses are not unusual, with some winners taking time before they even realise or respond to calls about their prize, including other unclaimed wins still being followed up.

Uri Geller: A History of Failures

Article by Jon Donnis

Uri Geller, the Israeli-born psychic known for his spoon-bending and other paranormal feats, has been a figure of fascination and controversy for decades. While Geller claims to possess genuine psychic abilities, a closer examination of his career reveals numerous failures and debunked performances that cast significant doubt on his purported talents.

1. The Johnny Carson Incident (1973)

One of the most famous incidents highlighting Geller's failures occurred on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1973. Carson, a former magician himself, was skeptical of Geller's abilities and prepared for the interview by consulting with magician and skeptic James Randi. They ensured that Geller would not have access to his own props and would be given only items provided by the show. Under these controlled conditions, Geller struggled and failed to demonstrate his abilities, unable to perform any of his usual feats of spoon bending or psychic readings. This high-profile failure significantly dented his credibility.

2. The "Project Alpha" Debacle

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, two young magicians, Steve Shaw (now known as Banachek) and Michael Edwards, were part of a project funded by the McDonnell Laboratory for Psychical Research. They claimed to possess psychic abilities and were investigated by researchers eager to validate paranormal phenomena. In reality, the duo was part of a hoax orchestrated by James Randi to expose the lack of scientific rigor in paranormal research. Their success in deceiving the scientists, until they revealed the truth, demonstrated how easily supposed psychics like Geller could manipulate poorly controlled experiments.

3. The SRI Tests

Geller participated in a series of tests at the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in the early 1970s, which were initially reported to support his claims of psychic ability. However, the protocols of these tests were later criticized for being inadequate to prevent trickery. Critics, including James Randi and other skeptics, argued that the researchers were not experienced in dealing with magicians and thus failed to eliminate potential avenues for cheating. This criticism cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the positive results Geller obtained at SRI.

Read more at https://documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/cia/CIA-RDP96-00787R000500240021-0.pdf

4. The James Randi Lawsuit

James Randi, a relentless critic of Geller, published a book titled "The Truth About Uri Geller" in 1982, which accused Geller of being a fraud and performing simple magic tricks rather than genuine psychic phenomena. Geller sued Randi for libel, but the case was dismissed, and Geller was ordered to pay a significant portion of Randi's legal fees. The dismissal of the lawsuit reinforced the skepticism surrounding Geller's claims and highlighted the weakness of his legal and evidential positions.

5. The Failure in Israel (2007)

In 2007, Geller participated in a television show in Israel where he attempted to showcase his psychic abilities live. During the broadcast, he failed to perform as expected, notably struggling to bend a spoon and accurately read minds. This public failure in his home country further tarnished his reputation and demonstrated the inconsistency of his abilities.

6. The "Phenomenon" Mishap (2007)

Geller co-hosted a television show called "Phenomenon" alongside Criss Angel, a magician known for his skepticism of paranormal claims. During one episode, Angel challenged Geller and another contestant, Jim Callahan, to demonstrate their abilities under more stringent conditions. Geller avoided the direct challenge, and Callahan's attempt ended in a heated exchange rather than a successful demonstration. This incident highlighted the tension between genuine skepticism and Geller's claims, further undermining his credibility.

Conclusion

Uri Geller's career is a complex tapestry of claimed psychic phenomena, public fascination, and repeated failures under controlled conditions. While he has undoubtedly captivated audiences worldwide, the numerous instances where his abilities have been debunked or failed to manifest under scrutiny suggest that his talents may be more about showmanship than genuine psychic power. As with any extraordinary claim, it is crucial to apply rigorous skepticism and scientific inquiry to ensure that what is being presented as reality is not simply illusion.

Craig Hamilton‑Parker’s 2025 Psychic Fails: Royals, Politics, and UFOs That Never Happened

By Jon Donnis

Every New Year, UK tabloids and online media carry the forecasts of psychics, promising insight into politics, royal affairs, global unrest, and even UFOs. Few are as widely reported as Craig Hamilton‑Parker, a British psychic who publishes detailed "year ahead" predictions. As 2025 draws to a close, it is worth examining how his claims stacked up against reality.

At the start of the year, Hamilton‑Parker made headlines for some particularly bold predictions. Among the most talked-about were claims that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would divorce, that Sir Keir Starmer would be ousted from government, and that France and Germany would experience major social unrest. Additional forecasts included sweeping "anti‑woke" laws in the United States and full government disclosure of UFO files.

Looking at the year's events, these predictions largely failed to materialise. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain married as of December 2025, with no public indication of a divorce. Sir Keir Starmer continues in his role as Labour leader, untouched by any ousting scenario predicted earlier in the year. Social unrest in France and Germany remained relatively limited and certainly did not reach the dramatic scale forecast. In the United States, while cultural debates continue, there were no sweeping "anti‑woke" laws passed that match the specifics of Hamilton‑Parker's claim. Likewise, despite ongoing government briefings and media coverage, there has been no full disclosure of UFO files as suggested.

One prediction that may seem to have a partial match involved maritime trouble. Hamilton‑Parker suggested that a ship or tanker could encounter problems during the year. In March 2025, a collision involving the MV Solong cargo ship and the MV Stena Immaculate oil tanker occurred off the English coast, resulting in a fire and rescue operation. While technically a correct event, the prediction was vague, and it is unclear if it was part of the New Year forecast or a mid‑year claim made after the fact. As such, it cannot be considered a clear success.

2025 Predictions vs Reality

Prediction: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will divorce
Outcome: Did not happen; couple remains married

Prediction: Sir Keir Starmer will be ousted from government
Outcome: Did not happen; still Labour leader

Prediction: Major social unrest in France and Germany
Outcome: No sustained or dramatic unrest matching the claim

Prediction: Sweeping "anti‑woke" laws in the US
Outcome: Did not occur as described

Prediction: Government UFO disclosure
Outcome: No full disclosure took place in 2025

Prediction: Ship or tanker in trouble
Outcome: A collision occurred in March; prediction vague.

The overall record for Hamilton‑Parker's 2025 predictions is stark. Of the six major claims publicly reported at the start of the year, five were demonstrably false, and one was ambiguous at best. This mirrors a long-standing trend among UK psychics featured in media: predictions may capture attention and generate headlines, but they rarely correspond to reality.

Hamilton‑Parker's forecasts are dramatic and narrative-driven. Royal drama, political upheaval, and global instability feature prominently, providing a compelling story for readers. Yet, as 2025 shows, they are far more effective at entertaining than predicting. For sceptical observers, the lesson is clear: media coverage of psychic predictions is largely a spectacle. The boldness of the claims draws attention, but their accuracy is consistently low.

In the end, Craig Hamilton‑Parker's 2025 predictions provide a cautionary tale about reading too much into psychic forecasts. While tabloids may present them as insider insight or prophetic vision, reality tells a different story. As we look ahead to 2026, readers would do well to approach similar forecasts with curiosity, but critical thinking should remain the primary guide. The New Year may bring surprises, but as 2025 proves, psychics rarely see them coming.

When Prophecies Fail: Predictions That Never Happened

By Jon Donnis

People love a good prophecy. Whether it's whispered from the mouth of a mystic in a smoky room or blasted across television screens by a self-styled prophet, there's something magnetic about someone claiming to know the future. But for every psychic prediction that sends shivers down the spine, there's a pile of failed ones that history hasn't been kind to.

Take Harold Camping. He managed to convince a sizeable number of people that the world was going to end on 21 May 2011. Some gave up jobs, others sold homes, fully expecting to be whisked away in a Biblical rapture. When nothing happened, he pushed the date to October. That came and went too. No fanfare. Just awkward silence and a lot of confused followers.

Or remember Jeane Dixon? She was big in the 60s and claimed, among other things, that World War III would start in the 80s. Spoiler: it didn't. She also said the Soviet Union would beat the United States to the Moon, which was spectacularly off. Dixon's predictions were hit and miss, though her fame seemed to grow regardless. People have a habit of remembering the one thing that seemed accurate and forgetting the twenty that weren't.

Then there's the legendary case of William Miller in the 1840s, who announced that Christ would return in 1843. When that didn't happen, he revised it to 1844. Tens of thousands of people believed him, sold everything, and waited in white robes. Nothing happened. The day became known as the Great Disappointment, which is an apt summary.

One of the stranger moments came in 1910 when people believed Halley's Comet would wipe out humanity. There was a theory the Earth would pass through the tail of the comet and that deadly gases would poison the planet. Some even bought anti-comet pills. Turns out, Halley's Comet just carried on doing what comets do. Flying past. Not killing anyone.

Baba Vanga, (who we have written about before) the Bulgarian mystic, is often brought up in these lists. Some claims about her have been exaggerated, especially online, where vague or outright false predictions are often attributed to her. One of the more notorious fake ones is that she predicted the sinking of the Kursk submarine in 2000 "in August 1999." That quote has been stretched far beyond anything verifiable.

Another name that crops up is Sylvia Browne. She made regular TV appearances in the early 2000s and once told the mother of missing child Amanda Berry that her daughter was dead. Berry was found alive years later. There was no apology, just a kind of vague shrug. Yet people kept buying her books.

In the 1950s, Dorothy Martin gained a following when she claimed aliens told her the world would end on 21 December 1954. A group of believers gathered at her home, expecting to be rescued by spaceship. The aliens, it seemed, were no-shows. The world didn't end, but the story became a classic study in belief and denial.

One example often brought up is Nostradamus and the idea that he predicted 9/11. A commonly quoted quatrain goes something like, "In the year of the new century and nine months, from the sky will come a great King of Terror..." At first glance, it seems uncanny. The timing sounds close to September 2001, and there's mention of terror from the sky. But look closer and the cracks show. There's no mention of New York, no planes, no towers. The language is vague, poetic and wide open to interpretation. It could just as easily describe a meteor strike or an alien invasion.

The same thing happens with claims that he predicted Hitler. People point to the word "Hister" in his writings and say he must have meant Hitler. In reality, Hister was an old name for the Danube River. There's nothing in the surrounding lines that clearly points to the man himself unless you're already convinced and want it to fit. Once you strip away the modern rewording and selective reading, the predictions tend to collapse under proper scrutiny.

More recently, people have pointed to predictions around Y2K. While not from a psychic, it had the same panic energy. Some said planes would fall from the sky. Computers would explode. Society would collapse. But when 1 January 2000 arrived, nothing really happened. The lights stayed on. The world kept spinning.

It's not that people are foolish for being curious about the future. It's that the future doesn't often like being pinned down. Prophecies and predictions are, at best, guesses. Sometimes entertaining. Sometimes frightening. But history is littered with moments when confident foretelling ran headlong into the boring reality of nothing happening at all.

Freedom Holding Corp: building a connected financial ecosystem across multiple countries

Freedom Holding Corp is a NASDAQ listed financial services group under the ticker FRHC. It operates across more than 20 countries and provides brokerage, banking, insurance and related financial services. Over time, the company has positioned itself around a broader ecosystem approach, where different financial services are designed to work within a connected platform rather than as separate products.

At the centre of this model is the idea of integration. Instead of treating investing, banking and insurance as completely separate experiences, Freedom Holding aims to link them together so customers can move between services within the same system. A user might begin with investing activities, then open a bank account, and later access insurance products, all within a connected environment depending on the market.

The company’s core business remains rooted in brokerage services, which often act as an entry point for customers. From there, the wider platform expands into banking and insurance, creating additional layers of financial services that support long term engagement rather than single transaction use. This structure is designed to increase interaction between different parts of the group’s offering.

Alongside this, Freedom Holding has developed its banking and insurance operations to support its broader ecosystem strategy. Banking services help connect everyday financial activity with investment and other financial products, while insurance adds another layer of financial coverage within the same overall system. The intention is to build relationships that extend beyond a single service type.

It is important to note that the company’s “one platform” concept is still a developing vision rather than a fully unified global product. In some markets, services are more integrated than in others, and the level of connectivity between products varies depending on regulatory and operational conditions. The long term direction, however, is focused on increasing integration across services over time.

This ecosystem approach is also linked to the company’s international footprint. Freedom Holding operates in more than 20 countries, including markets across Central Asia, Europe and other regions. This geographic spread allows the company to develop and test different parts of its platform in multiple environments, rather than being limited to a single domestic market.

At a structural level, the company is designed to encourage cross usage of services. Customers who enter through one product, such as brokerage accounts, may gradually adopt additional services like banking or insurance. This creates a layered relationship between the user and the platform, which is central to how the business aims to grow over time.

Rather than relying on a single product line, Freedom Holding’s model is built around multiple connected revenue streams. Brokerage, banking and insurance each play a role, but they are also designed to support one another within the wider system. This reduces reliance on any one segment and helps create a more diversified financial structure.

From a technology and platform perspective, the company continues to invest in digital infrastructure that supports this integration. The goal is to make it easier for users to access different financial services within a single environment, even if full integration varies by region and regulatory framework.

In simple terms, Freedom Holding Corp is working towards a connected financial ecosystem where brokerage, banking and insurance services are increasingly linked. The idea of a single platform covering all aspects of financial and everyday services remains a strategic direction rather than a fully completed system, but it continues to shape how the company expands across its international markets.

The result is a business model that blends traditional financial services with a platform based approach, aiming to create longer term customer relationships through integration rather than separation.

"So now you're psychic?" - "No, No, No, it's all science" - The Mentalist

The Mentalist builds its appeal on a deceptively simple idea, that careful observation can feel almost like magic. At the centre is Patrick Jane, a former fake psychic who now works as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation. He does not read minds, he reads people, and the show leans into that distinction with quiet confidence. Each case becomes less about the crime itself and more about the small tells, the fleeting expressions, the overlooked details that reveal far more than any confession. It gives the series a calm, methodical rhythm, where tension comes from anticipation rather than spectacle.

What keeps it engaging over time is the balance between its case of the week structure and the long shadow of Jane’s personal story. His pursuit of the serial killer known as Red John adds a darker undercurrent that slowly builds across seasons. That thread gives weight to what might otherwise feel routine, grounding the character in something raw and unresolved. Around him, the team provides contrast and stability, particularly Teresa Lisbon, whose steady presence keeps Jane tethered when his instincts drift into risk. The result is a series that feels thoughtful without being heavy, sharp without needing to shout, and always just a little bit ahead of its audience.

Watch The Series in full at https://amzn.to/4n5z693

BadPsychics Magazine Issue 393, May 2026 - Cover Revealed

 

BadPsychics Magazine Issue 392, April 2026 - Out Now!

Latest BadPsychics Magazine is out now! 

Issue 392, April 2026.

Huge stories in this months issue. Don't miss out.

PREVIEW: Derren Brown: Incognito

Image courtesy of Channel 4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 joins forces with Vaudeville Productions and the mind of Derren Brown for Incognito, a new six part series that blends game playing with something far more probing. It starts with a familiar truth. We all make snap judgements about the people around us. Most of the time we do it without thinking, drawing quick conclusions shaped by years of social conditioning and our own personal prejudices.

Incognito takes that everyday instinct and places it under a microscope.

Ten strangers, each from wildly different backgrounds, are brought together and moved into a mysterious institution for seven days. They do not arrive empty handed. Each person carries an identity that tends to trigger instant assumptions from others. It might be a Soldier, a Spy, a Priest or a Porn Star. Labels that come loaded with expectation before a single word is spoken. From the outset, everyone believes they share the same objective. Discover who the others really are while keeping their own identity carefully hidden.

On paper, it sounds like a tense social guessing game. Watch closely, gather clues, decide who to trust. The sort of setup that encourages alliances, whispers in corners and second guessing every glance. Yet this is a project shaped by Derren Brown, and the straightforward version of events is never the whole story.

Behind the scenes, the series reveals itself as something more mischievous. Rather than simply testing deduction skills, Incognito becomes a psychological experiment. Every task, every conversation and every elimination is designed to challenge what the players think they know. First impressions are shaken. Assumptions start to wobble. People who seemed obvious choices suddenly look less certain. Those quiet, almost invisible prejudices begin to surface.

As the days pass, the group is pushed to re evaluate the bonds they have formed and the strategies they thought were safe. Twists disrupt any sense of comfort. Trust becomes fragile. The line between performance and authenticity blurs. In that pressure, the participants are forced to confront not just each other, but themselves.

The effect is not limited to those inside the institution. Viewers are invited into the same process, watching their own instincts at work and perhaps recognising how easily they too make judgments based on a title or role. Empathy creeps in where certainty once sat.

Set against an increasingly divided and polarised society, Incognito asks a quiet but pointed question. Can long standing views about other people really change when they are properly tested, or do those old prejudices return the moment the masks come off. Guided by Derren Brown's perspective and built as more than just a game, the series promises something unsettling, thoughtful and revealing in equal measure.

Coming Soon.

Derren Brown, "This has been a fascinating new venture. With my previous shows I've normally had a clear idea of how things will conclude, this was very different. It's a show about how we form opinions, live by our labels, judge others by them. And what happens when all that's removed. It was a beautiful and extraordinary thing to make." 

Craig Hamilton-Parker’s 2026 Predictions: Royals, Wars and a Spiritual Awakening

By Jon Donnis

As 2025 draws to a close, the annual cycle of psychic forecasts is already in motion. Craig Hamilton-Parker, whose 2025 predictions were largely inaccurate, has released a fresh set of forecasts for 2026 through his YouTube channel and his "Coffee with Craig" sessions.

This year, his predictions are significantly more dramatic than last. Moving beyond political reshuffles, they venture into territory that feels closer to a historical epic than a typical year-ahead forecast.

The Royal Transition

The most striking claim for 2026 concerns the British monarchy. Hamilton-Parker suggests that King Charles III may pass away in early 2026, specifically pointing to February as a significant date. In his view, this would lead to the immediate coronation of King William V. He describes William as a strong and decisive leader who will handle family matters with a firmer hand than his predecessor.

He further links this predicted change in leadership to the royal titles of the Sussexes and Prince Andrew. Hamilton-Parker suggests that King William will pursue parliamentary changes to remove Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew from their royal statuses permanently.

Global Upheaval and a "Four-Nation War"

On the international stage, the forecasts take an even darker turn. Drawing on what he calls "Naadi readings" from ancient Indian palm leaf prophecies, Hamilton-Parker speaks of escalating wars and calamities spanning 2025 to 2029. He specifically mentions a "four-nation war," though the identities of the participants remain vague.

China also features prominently in his 2026 predictions. He forecasts the beginning of the end for the Chinese Communist Party and the downfall of Xi Jinping, potentially triggered by a symbolic event involving a building in Hong Kong. This event is described as a catalyst for wider revolutionary change.

A Spiritual "Golden Age"

Despite talk of war and royal deaths, Hamilton-Parker presents a recurring theme of a global "Great Awakening" in 2026. He argues that the chaos of the coming year could mark the start of a new "Golden Age." This is less about political peace and more about a shift in human consciousness, where people turn away from material concerns and move towards a deeper spiritual awareness.

It is worth noting that several of these claims, particularly the predictions about Harry and Meghan or potential royal health issues, are recycled versions of his 2025 forecasts that never came true. By changing the timing and adding extra drama, the stories stay engaging for his audience, even if the accuracy is highly questionable. As with last year, these predictions appear aimed more at entertaining the "Coffee with Craig" community than at recording events that will actually happen. History suggests that, despite the spectacle, Craig Hamilton-Parker's forecasts are far more likely to amuse than to predict.