Uncovering a child rescue scam

Hello. A BBC investigation has found that a charity claiming to be caring for trafficked children fabricated some of the stories used to solicit donations. Hayley Mortimer explains the report's origins and its impact. In Somalia, Kiin Hassan Fakat and Mary Harper attend a beauty pageant that exemplifies both the country's progress and its remaining challenges in advancing women's rights. Finally, Jonah Fisher takes us inside a remote rainforest rich in unique wildlife.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Charity fabricated stories about children

The mother of a toddler featured in one of PRC's campaigns said she had never received any money. Credit: BBC

Project Rescue Children (PRC) claims to save children from human trafficking and abuse. But a BBC investigation across Uganda, Kenya and The Gambia has found the charity faked stories used in fundraising campaigns. PRC has described the allegations that it does not support children as being “completely without merit, misleading and defamatory”.

When did you first decide to investigate PRC?

Allegations against PRC began popping up on social media in September after a reality TV star helped raise £137,000 ($175,000) for a project in Uganda, with former ambassadors and directors alleging financial mismanagement and suggesting stories about children were being fabricated.

What do we know about its founder?

Adam Whittington, a British-Australian citizen, started working in child rescue two decades ago, after leaving the Metropolitan Police. He is currently living in Russia. He didn’t respond to our request for an interview.

What has happened since the start of the investigation?

Some content has been removed from PRC’s website and Mr Whittington has been banned from Instagram. He instructed solicitors in Kenya to block our investigation from being broadcast, though they have not succeeded. He has launched an online campaign against the BBC, calling me a “rogue journalist”. On his remaining social media I can see he is currently travelling back and forth to the Philippines - raising money for a rescue centre and claiming to rescue children. And he says he will soon be expanding PRC into South Africa. We told the Australian Charity Commission about our investigation. Its charitable status has now been revoked.

Listen: Find more File on 4 investigations on BBC Sounds.

THE BIG PICTURE

Preserving Mozambique's 'sky island'

The water in the centre of Mabu forest is so pure that scientists drink it directly from the stream. Credit: Tony Jolliffe

Perched on a remote mountain top and surrounded by lowlands, Mabu is the largest rainforest in southern Africa. Environment correspondent Jonah Fisher went there with a team of scientists who have discovered it's home to dozens of new species, helping to convince the government to protect it.

And finally... in Jersey

In line with the wet summer experienced across most of the UK and the Channel Islands, a parade for King Charles and Queen Camilla in Jersey was held under the pouring rain. A seagull appearing to lead the march provided some cheer as attendees got drenched to the bone.