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So Supernatural

DARK WEB: Cicada 3301

So Supernatural

audiochuck | Crime House

True Crime, Society & Culture

4.622.3K Ratings

🗓️ 28 March 2025

⏱️ 34 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 2012, a series of complex puzzles appeared on the website known as 4Chan. Thousands took to the forums, trying to crack the codes and riddles written by an author known only as Cicada 3301. Some believed the puzzles were a recruitment tool for an unknown organization, others said they were part of a global cult. And while few have seen behind the curtain, even those who have solved the puzzles still aren't sure who or what Cicada 3301 is – or what their ultimate goals are.

Transcript

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0:00.0

I'm not going to lie, I'm a sucker for puzzles. Crosswords, wordle, escape rooms. I mean, which of my 90s kids remember that impossible computer puzzle game, Mind Sweeper? You name it, I'm in. And the more challenging, the better, right? Like, there's something nice about giving your brain a little workout.

0:22.3

Now that I think about it, maybe that's why I'm so fascinated by true crime. It's sort of the

0:26.3

ultimate puzzle, a chance to put the clues together, examine the evidence, and try to figure out

0:31.8

who done it. I know I'm not alone here. These things can be impossible to resist.

0:38.5

But I bet only a handful of you took a stab at this one puzzle that took the internet by storm back in 2012.

0:47.1

It was posted by a mysterious group known only as Cicada 3301.

1:02.0

Now, I cannot overstate how complex this game was, and the people who tried to solve it were totally addicted. It took over their lives, even caused injuries to some people.

1:07.0

Nobody knew what this game was for, or what Cicada 3301 was trying to accomplish by posting it.

1:16.6

But the people who solved it found themselves pulled into a strange, secretive organization

1:22.6

with murky intentions.

1:24.6

Was it a government agency, a cult, or some twisted terrorist group? People

1:31.1

still aren't sure. But whoever they are, they might still be operating today. I'm Ashley Flowers,

1:40.9

and this is so supernatural.

1:53.6

Thank you. hours. And this is so supernatural. Now you're probably wondering why I'm still here, why I haven't passed the mic or the

1:58.7

torch back to Rasha and Yvette yet.

2:03.6

But just know that your ears aren't playing tricks on you.

2:09.8

I'm going to stick around for this entire story because it is one of those internet mysteries that has me absolutely stumped.

2:13.4

So today, we're talking about a top secret organization called Cicada 3301, who posted a series of puzzles online beginning in 2012.

2:23.8

The people who solved their riddles got an invitation to join them.

2:27.9

But even once they were inside, they had no idea who Cicada was or what their intentions were,

2:35.0

only that they plan to change the entire world.

2:44.0

It's 2012. The iPhone 5 has just been announced. Facebook is going public. Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram are all thriving.

...

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