Rizzle Kicks star travels to Nigeria in groundbreaking Channel 4 documentary
Jordan Stephens, one half of the chart-topping duo Rizzle Kicks, has thrown himself into the dark underworld of online crime in a gripping new Channel 4 documentary, set to air as part of the broadcaster’s Untold series. Titled Hunting My Sextortion Scammer (working title), the programme sees the 33-year-old artist voluntarily fall victim to an elaborate sextortion scam, before embarking on a harrowing journey to trace the perpetrator all the way to the streets of Nigeria.
Sextortion — a growing form of online blackmail where criminals threaten to release explicit images, videos, or personal content unless their victims pay a ransom or comply with demands — has become alarmingly prevalent. The documentary not only exposes the emotional and psychological impact of such crimes but also aims to spotlight the systems that allow them to flourish.
Speaking about the project, Stephens said he was shocked by how sophisticated and widespread the practice has become. “We live in a time where our digital lives are so exposed and vulnerable. This wasn’t just about me — it was about giving a voice to the thousands who’ve been manipulated, shamed, and silenced,” he said.
His journey, which takes him into the heart of Nigeria’s cyber-crime hotspots, is both revealing and deeply personal. The confrontation with his blackmailer promises to be a dramatic climax, offering a rare and courageous insight into the minds behind these crimes.
The documentary arrives just months after a damning report from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) highlighted a spike in online sexual exploitation of children and teenagers. According to their findings, under-18s are facing an unprecedented wave of threats online, with sextortion emerging as a critical area of concern.
Stephens’ film will be available to stream from 25 June and is expected to spark national conversation around online safety, consent, and mental health.
In addition to Hunting My Sextortion Scammer, Channel 4 has announced an impressive slate of new documentaries for this season of Untold, aimed at tackling taboo topics and giving voice to underrepresented issues.
Love Island star Chloe Burrows fronts 28 Dates Later (working title), a documentary investigating the fatigue among young people with dating apps. Burrows, 29, will explore alternatives to digital dating, trialling a variety of in-person dates and speaking to relationship experts about the effects of technology on modern love. This documentary is set to stream from 4 June.
Also joining the Untold line-up is The Secrets of TikTok Shop (working title), which lifts the lid on the booming e-commerce feature within the popular social media platform. Scheduled for release on 11 June, the film delves into how TikTok Shop is reshaping consumer behaviour and the influencer economy — and the murky practices sometimes hidden behind its polished storefront.
On 18 June, Confessions of a Prison Officer (working title) will air as a follow-up to The Secrets of UK Prisons, examining the often-overlooked issue of corruption within the prison service. Featuring first-hand accounts from those on the inside, it promises to be another hard-hitting addition to the season.
More Read
Janine Thomas, commissioning editor for Untold, commented on the new series, saying: “Untold continues to be a fearless voice for young audiences, tackling taboo topics, lifting the lid on hidden subcultures, and giving voice to those who are often unheard. This season of ambitious and exciting documentaries promises to inform, provoke and spark vital conversation.”
All Untold documentaries will be made available to stream via Channel 4’s platform and will later appear on the broadcaster’s YouTube channel, making them more accessible to younger audiences.
In a further move to open up British institutions to public scrutiny, Channel 4 has also confirmed a new series, The Court (working title), which will follow real-life civil cases in a televised alternative justice setting, providing a candid look into the inner workings of Britain’s civil legal system.
With Untold continuing to push boundaries and deliver investigative storytelling with heart and edge, Channel 4 cements its place as a platform where uncomfortable truths are faced head-on.
