How we pull off our undercover operations

We’ve gone undercover to expose far-right networks – and it comes at a cost. For years, I’ve infiltrated some of the most dangerous far-right groups, exposing their inner workings. But pulling off these operations isn’t cheap – hidden cameras, flights, hotels – and we can’t ask for help without risking our work.

Now, we need your support to continue this vital work. Will you help fund our next undercover investigation?

Sponsor our next investigation

Hi John

I’m Patrik, a senior researcher at HOPE not hate, and for years I’ve been infiltrating, tracking and exposing some of the worlds’ most notorious far right groups.

For the past year, I oversaw a major undercover investigation for HOPE not hate and acted as handler to ‘Chris,’ our undercover researcher, as together we exposed a global race science network - but it didn't come cheap.

I know firsthand what it takes to go undercover. In 2017, I infiltrated and rose up the ranks of the alt-right in the US, even speaking white supremacist rally. The stress, the fear – it all comes with a price.

I first met ‘Chris’ in 2022, he had been writing Scout, a blog about conspiracy theories and far-right extremism. Over drinks, he told me he wanted to go undercover to learn more about what the modern far right really looks like behind closed doors. The rest is history.

As his handler, my job was to coordinate the operation, and to protect his cover at all costs. Keeping secrets, even from friends and colleagues, became second nature.

But there's one constant challenge: funding.

When our operation took us to from the UK to Tallinn, Warsaw, and Athens, the bills mounted up. We bought hidden cameras and microphones, hotel rooms and flights. We never truly know when we'll need emergency funds to keep an operation alive – and we can’t publicly ask for help without risking everything.

That's why we need supporters like you.

Will you sponsor our next undercover investigation?

Make a monthly donation

Going undercover isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s not just the fear that’s hard – it’s the constant stress of living two lives. You have two phones. You have two lives and you can't combine them in any way.

In our darkest moments, knowing that people like you are cheering us on is what keeps us going. By making a regular donation, you become a crucial part of our fight to defeat fight the far right, ensuring that we can expose these far-right networks – wherever they hide.

Sponsor our next undercover investigation now:

Become a monthly donor

Make a one-off contribution instead

Thanks for your support,

Patrik, Senior Researcher at HOPE not hate

While you're here...

Catch the documentary that takes you behind the scenes of HOPE not hate's undercover investigations for the first time. The documentary aired this week and is available to watch online anytime on Channel 4.

Watch it now

Promoted by Nick Lowles on behalf of HOPE not hate at 167-169 Great Portland Street. 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF.

This email was sent to: [email protected]

Click here to reduce the amount of emails you receive from us.Click here to unsubscribe - we'll be sorry to see you go.Keep up to date with us on X, Facebook and Instagram.If you'd like to fund our work in a more sustainable way, you can join the HOPE Action Fund here.