The Mr Big sting is a powerful tool to get criminals to confess. It got David Lyttle to confess to the murder of his mate, Brett Hall. But is it fair? Is it just? Or does it lead to false convictions?
Mr Lyttle Meets Mr Big 03 | The Mr Big Operation on David Lyttle
The police get their confession. But can we believe it?
This episode was first released on 19 June 2023.
We go inside the sting police used on David Lyttle and look at the tactics involved: the nurturing of friendship with "Nick"; the offers of money, cars, trips and status.
David is told again and again the catchwords of the gang - truth, honesty, loyalty.
This is an organisation that looks after its people, that doesn't judge them, and that controls crooked cops who can fix anything.
As long as you are honest with Mr Big.
But is this fair? And can we believe any confession that comes from the sting?
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/motive?share=3a196f8b-bc66-499a-9837-2b756d3662de)
5 Oct 2026
Mr Lyttle Meets Mr Big 02 | Mr Big: How it Works
Only three countries in the world allow the Mr Big technique to be used. We're one of them.
This episode was first released on 16 June 2023.
Mr Big is a powerful technique that can bring justice to murder victims.
But experts disagree about its effectiveness.
Some support the technique. Others think Mr Big stings exploit people's vulnerabilities and encourage them to lie.
Not all countries use the sting, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
In Canada, police employ some surprising and troubling variations on Mr Big to get the accused to confess..
But despite all this, an undercover police team here in New Zealand get approval to run Mr Big on David Lyttle.
Will it work?
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/motive?share=ebc972ae-ced6-4e8d-a621-a6eeca475658)
28 Sept 2026
Mr Lyttle Meets Mr Big 01 | A Knock at the Door
Is this police sting reliable? Is it just?
This episode was first released on 14 June 2023.
When Halcombe builder David Lyttle answers a knock on his door in March 2014, he's drawn into a shadowy organisation with promises of wealth and friendship. David is desperate to join, but learns that first, he has to get the nod from the organisation's boss, Mr Big.
Mr Big asks David about his past. David says he's committed a murder. He shows the boss where he says the body parts are buried.
Then... he's arrested. It was all a police sting!
Police dig up the burial sites. There's nothing there.
Was this a confession?
Is it reliable?
Is it just?
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/motive?share=a719c002-8c2b-4142-b455-6580862df315)
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