LA Pastor Robert Shinn Accused of Running Cult-Like Organization and Exploiting Dancers

Allegations Against Pastor Robert Shinn

• 💡 Journalist Katie Joy discusses allegations against pastor Robert Shinn, head of the Shankia Church and founder of 7M Films, who is accused of running a cult-like organization for over 25 years.
• 🎯 Shinn allegedly lured TikTok dancers to sign with 7M Films by promising stardom, but then manipulated them financially, physically, and spiritually.
• ⚠️ Former clients claim Shinn pressured them to disown their families and some have accused him of sexual assault.

Recent FBI and IRS Raid

• ⚡ In a recent development, the FBI, IRS, and other agencies raided Shinn's LA area home, investigating allegations of sex trafficking, money laundering, mail fraud, tax evasion, and pandemic fraud.
• 📌 While several people were led away in handcuffs, authorities stated that no arrests were made.
• 🏠 The raided property in Tujunga is described as a complex with an apartment building where members live, while Shinn resides in a separate home in Porter Ranch.

History of Allegations and Identity Changes

• 🔍 Katie Joy notes that reports against Shinn date back to at least March/April 2022, with former members reporting him to the IRS for converting church donations into for-profit businesses.
• 🎭 Shinn has allegedly changed his identity multiple times, previously accused of sexual assault by six women in 2008, after which he changed his name from Israel Shinn to Robert Shinn.
• 🏠 He has reportedly moved locations multiple times to evade past issues, with the current iteration of his organization being more isolated for members.

Organizational Structure and Control

• 📊 Shinn is described as being at the top of a pyramid structure, with mentors acting as deputies who control the members.
• 👥 Key deputies include Shirley Kim, Matthew Shin, and his wife Hannah, who help enforce Shinn's control over the members.
• ⚠️ Survivors express fear that individuals still within the organization are in serious danger.

7M Films and "Dancing for the Devil"

• 🎭 The allegations against Shinn and 7M Films were previously highlighted in the Netflix docuseries "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult."
• 💰 An ex-client described how management fees seemed reasonable initially but evolved into manipulation, with members pressured into a "roommate club" and eventually isolated from their families.
• 🗣️ Members were reportedly instructed to post on social media to project an image of normalcy and discredit claims of being in a cult.