David Wallace was tasked with tracking down Richard Marsh, a whistleblower and critic of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC). However, Wallace had reservations about the assignment and decided to warn Marsh to flee. He had been hired through a prominent law firm representing the church, which has a vast business empire.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., 18-year-old Trent Waskey boasted to a friend about hacking the Brethren's computer system. His claim was false, a reckless act of teenage bravado. The church's leaders reacted strongly, subjecting Waskey to a harsh interrogation and threatening him with jail time. The PBCC does not tolerate any challenges to its authority or its multi-billion-dollar business interests.

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, often referred to as the Exclusive Brethren, is a wealthy and secretive religious group based in suburban Sydney. It was established in the 19th century after a split from the Anglican Church. The church is led by Bruce Hales, an Australian accountant known as "the Elect Vessel," who has been in charge since 2002. Hales is viewed as a significant figure within the church, with members taught from a young age to revere him.

The PBCC has a global presence, with approximately 55,000 members in countries including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The church's teachings, often recorded in bound books, include controversial statements about entertainment, climate change, and indigenous Australians. A church spokesperson noted that the language in these texts may differ from common usage.

The church operates through a complex corporate structure of over 3,000 companies worldwide, with Universal Business Team (UBT) at its core. The Brethren's businesses thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, securing lucrative sanitation contracts from governments in the UK and Australia. The church claims its businesses generate an annual turnover of $22 billion, although some speculate the figure is much higher. In response to claims about its corporate affiliations, the PBCC stated that a business owned by a church member does not equate to a church-owned business.

Richard Marsh, who grew up in the Brethren in the UK, faced severe repercussions after he blew the whistle on a sanitation device called Deprox, which was linked to health risks. After reporting his concerns to authorities, he was confronted by church leaders who labeled his actions as "treacherous". Following his whistleblowing, Marsh left the church, which led to the dissolution of his marriage and estrangement from his five children. He relocated to Canada and began criticizing the church on social media, prompting private investigators to pursue him.

Wallace was first assigned to find Marsh in late 2020. He described himself as a political operative skilled in gathering information. However, he felt uncomfortable with the assignment and reached out to a friend of Marsh to relay a warning. In a recorded conversation, Wallace expressed his unease, stating, "These people are giving me the big time creeps. I want to give them their money back. I don't want to do this."

After learning more about the church, Wallace decided to help Marsh by providing him with information about the surveillance he was under. He shared documents revealing that investigators had tracked Marsh's wife and obtained her phone records, leading to multiple police reports about stalking.

In a statement, the church acknowledged hiring private investigators to locate Marsh for the purpose of enforcing court orders.

Trent Waskey, who grew up in a Brethren family, also experienced the church's oppressive environment. He described being consumed by the church's teachings and felt suffocated by its strictures. At 13, he secretly acquired a phone with internet access and began questioning the church's practices. In a moment of bravado, he falsely claimed to have hacked UBT's computer system, unaware of the potential consequences.

The church's response to dissenting members highlights the lengths it will go to protect its reputation and maintain control over its followers.