The misuse of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a growing concern, as investigative journalist Sue Mitchell unveils in a gripping new seven-part BBC Radio 4 podcast, Shadow World: The Willpower Detective. This series shines a light on the darker side of power of attorney, exposing how some of the UK’s most vulnerable citizens are left at the mercy of questionable practices.
Shadow World Podcast Exposes Shocking Misuse of Power of Attorney in the UK

The Disappearance of Vulnerable Individuals
In towns across Hertfordshire, alarming stories have emerged: people living alone mysteriously disappearing, their homes emptied and sold, and their neighbors left wondering if they’ve died or moved away. This unsettling trend has one thing in common—Lasting Power of Attorney, a legal mechanism intended to safeguard the interests of those unable to make their own decisions.