The Cult News Network

Raised Mormon, Elizabeth Smart Forges Her Own Path

Published January 23, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult Crimes Tagged Brian Mitchel, cult leader, Elizabeth Smart, kidnapping victim

When Elizabeth Smart was abducted in 2002, a seemingly picture-perfect life was shattered. The shocking kidnapping of the 14-year-old girl from her family home in one of Salt Lake City’s most upscale neighborhoods pierced the spirit of safety and fellowship…[Continue Reading...]

FBI renews call to extradite Filipino televangelist amid unresolved US trafficking case

Published January 23, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged Apollo Quiboloy, Church, extradition, Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Philippines

The FBI renewed its call last week for the extradition of Apollo Quiboloy, a Philippine religious leader charged in US court with sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion. Quiboloy founded the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and is accused…[Continue Reading...]

JIT questions Shincheonji ex-bodyguard on People Power Party ties

Published January 23, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged government investigation, Shincheonji, South Korea

A joint investigation team (JIT) probing alleged collusion between the Unification Church and Shincheonji, as well as ties to political figures, summoned and questioned a former bodyguard of Lee Man-hee, Shincheonji’s general director, on the 21st. According to a source…[Continue Reading...]

Moonie money in Nepal’s politics

Published January 23, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged corruption, Nepal, political influence, Unification Church

Leaked letters from Korea’s Unification Church have revealed its extensive involvement in buying political and media influence worldwide, including links to Nepal’s parties and politicians. Documents obtained by the Korean Centre for Investigative Journalism (Newstapa) contain correspondence to and from…[Continue Reading...]

Task force raids seven Unification Church locations over suspected illegal political donations

Published January 23, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult Crimes Tagged cults, police raids, South Korea, Unification Church

A joint probe team of prosecutors and police on Friday raided multiple sites linked to the Unification Church, escalating an investigation into suspected illegal political donations and possible collusion between religious organizations and lawmakers. Investigators carried out search-and-seizure operations at…[Continue Reading...]

60-Something Pseudo-Religious Leader Indicted for Sexually Assaulting Stepdaughter, Followers

Published January 23, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult Crimes Tagged criminal arrest, cults, sexual abuse, South Korea

A 60-something leader of a pseudo-religious group who referred to himself as a "god" and habitually sexually assaulted female followers, including his stepdaughter, has been indicted. He was also found to have mobilized a current public official to track down…[Continue Reading...]

Recently, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon Pyo has been increasing his comments on Shincheonji

Published January 22, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged cults, Lee Man-Hee, Shincheonji, Shincheonji Church

Recently, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon Pyo has been increasing his comments on Shincheonji (Shincheonji Jesus Church of Jesus Evidence Tabernacle) as he has revealed a series of internal party ideologies of the people's power in the past. In particular,…[Continue Reading...]

“Frontline of Fraud: Preventing Scams Against Servicemembers, Veterans, and Their Families.”

Published January 22, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged military veterans, multi level markeing, scams, schemes, United States military

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 10:00am ET to 12:00pm ET, in room 360 of the Cannon House Office Building, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs – Democrats hosted a roundtable discussion titled, "Frontline of Fraud: Preventing Scams Against Servicemembers,…[Continue Reading...]

Facebook still buzzing about viral ‘bunkbed motel’ linked to Scientology

Published January 22, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged Clearwater, Florida, real estate, Scientologists, Scientology

CLEARWATER, Fla. — For weeks social media users in Pinellas County have had videos showing bunkbeds in an empty motel in Clearwater popping into their feeds and many are saying it's the Church of Scientology. Marc Jason is a media…[Continue Reading...]

Elizabeth Smart returns to the public eye in 2026 with a survivor-led documentary and a renewed focus on prevention

Published January 21, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult Crimes Tagged Brian David Mitchell, cults, Elizabeth Smart, Kidnapping

Elizabeth Smart is back in the spotlight in January 2026 with a new feature documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, arriving as a survivor-first account of her 2002 abduction and nine months in captivity. The film’s release is prompting fresh public discussion…[Continue Reading...]