Robert Freegard

In the annals of criminal history, few cases are as disturbing as that of Robert Hendy-Freegard-a master manipulator who earned the nickname "The Puppet Master" for his ability to control his victims' every move. This gripping true crime investigation by Walid Saleh exposes the shocking story of Britain's most dangerous con artist, whose sophisticated psychological warfare destroyed families and shattered lives across two decades.

Unlike ordinary criminals who rely on physical force or simple fraud, Freegard wielded something far more insidious: the power to completely rewire his victims' reality. Posing as an MI5 agent, he convinced university students they were being hunted by Irish terrorists, forcing them to abandon their families, friends, and futures. For ten years, his victims lived in constant fear of phantom enemies while he systematically drained their families of over one million pounds.

Based on extensive court records, police files, and victim testimonies, this book reveals: How Freegard selected and groomed his victims with surgical precisionThe psychological techniques he used to maintain absolute controlThe devastating impact on families torn apart by his manipulationsThe international investigation that finally brought him to justiceHis continued crimes even after imprisonment and releaseFrom the agricultural colleges of rural England to the corridors of Scotland Yard, from broken families in London to FBI operations across the Atlantic, this is more than just a crime story-it's a terrifying exploration of human vulnerability and the darkest capabilities of the criminal mind.

This meticulously researched account serves as both a riveting true crime narrative and a crucial warning about the sophisticated predators who walk among us. It's a story that will make you question everything you think you know about trust, manipulation, and the very nature of evil itself.