A sordid sex cult masterminded by a 77-year-old man known as The Doctor has been busted by Italian police, revealing an intricate system of indoctrination and violence that left members entirely dependent on their twisted leader.
The group, based in the northern Italian town of Novara, was raided by police on Sunday (Italian time) on suspicion of slavery and sex abuse, including the abuse of young girls, the Daily Mail reported.
Police allege the unnamed cult leader used small businesses such as craft shops and dance schools to attract wealthy women into his vile web, subjecting them to "unbearable violence and abuse of all kinds" to cement their place in the group.
Officials investigating the depraved sect found that it was structured like a pyramid, with the leader surrounded by female psychologists who used their training to indoctrinate new members.
