Hosted by Marcel Theroux, The Eunuch Maker explores the story of Marius Gustavson, reported to be running a financial business from his home in Finsbury Park by operating and live streaming sexual organ removal surgeries online in front of audiences in their thousands. The show starts Monday, 13th January at 9pm on Crime+Investigation.
From video games to sporting events, live-streaming has boomed thanks to platforms like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, OnlyFans and Twitch. Most content is legal, but in the internet's darkest corners, a bizarre and disturbing subculture thrives. Nullo.
Short for nullification surgery, the subculture revolves around voluntary castration. The practice sees individuals have their genitalia removed, often in dangerous, makeshift settings. Even more unsettling, these surgeries are often live-streamed for paying audiences.
Nullo isn’t just a fringe movement. It’s a window into an underground world where identity, exploitation and desperation collide. It raises troubling questions about consent, safety and the limits of personal autonomy.
What Is Nullo?
The Nullo subculture takes its name from the idea of 'nullification' i.e. the removal of all sexual anatomy. The motivations vary for those involved. Some identify as gender-null and see the surgeries as an expression of their true selves and a rejection of traditional gender norms. Others are drawn to the practice through fetish communities.
But the appeal doesn’t end with those undergoing the procedures. Nullo has attracted a global audience willing to pay to watch these surgeries in real time. The operations are often performed in non-sterile environments by unqualified individuals like Marius Gustavson, known as the The Eunuch Maker. The procedures are live-streamed to paying viewers on encrypted platforms.
Who are the participants?
Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Nullo is that unlike victims of serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer, participants can be willing volunteers. These are people often grappling with deep-seated psychological struggles or feelings of alienation. For some, the Nullo community provides a sense of belonging and acceptance they’ve never experienced elsewhere.
For others, financial desperation plays a role. Some individuals agree to undergo surgeries for payment, lured by promises of money.
Livestreaming: turning pain into profit
What makes Nullo particularly alarming is the role of live-streaming. Encrypted platforms host live broadcasts of the surgeries and charge viewers hefty fees to watch. It’s not just about watching, though. Many broadcasts are interactive and encourage viewers to comment, ask questions or even make requests during the procedure.
Removed genitalia are sold as 'collectables' to the highest bidder, adding another grotesque layer to an already exploitative practice.
Why does Nullo persist?
The Nullo subculture flourishes in part because it exists on the fringes of society. Its participants are often people who feel ignored or misunderstood by traditional institutions. Many report that mainstream medical systems either dismiss their desires or refuse to accommodate them. This leaves the underground world as their only perceived option.
The anonymity of the dark web also plays a role. Forums and chatrooms allow organisers and participants to connect without fear of exposure, while cryptocurrencies facilitate untraceable transactions. Tools like the dark web and cryptocurrency also help drive underground industries like paedophile rings and sex trafficking.
Even when complications arise, the stigma surrounding these procedures makes it unlikely that participants will seek help or report what happened.
The role of authorities
Authorities around the world are starting to take notice. But the decentralised and anonymous nature of Nullo communities makes them difficult to dismantle. The voluntary nature of the surgeries complicates enforcement further. The procedures are illegal, but the willingness of participants creates legal grey areas. This forces authorities to navigate tricky questions about consent and exploitation.
The human cost
The physical and emotional toll on participants can be devastating. Participants risk severe complications, ranging from chronic pain to life-threatening infections, usually due to the lack of medical expertise and poor hygiene.
The psychological aftermath ican be harrowing for participants, who may feel regret, shame and alienation. Families of victims report struggling with grief, confusion and helplessness. Once again, the stigma surrounding Nullo prevents open conversations and further isolates those affected.
What can be done?
The rise of the Nullo subculture points to a need for both enforcement and empathy. Shutting down live-streaming platforms and targeting the financial networks that support them are critical steps. But they won’t address the root causes of the issue.
Society needs to provide accessible, compassionate support for individuals grappling with identity and mental health challenges. Support that makes dangerous alternatives like Nullo less appealing.
Public awareness campaigns could also play a role in exposing the risks and exploitation involved in these practices. The goal? To prevent others from falling into the same trap.
A grim reminder of humanity
The dark world of Nullo is a grim reminder of humanity’s most extreme behaviours, and the role the internet can play in amplifying and exploiting these behaviours.
