A man convicted of rape has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for targeting young Muslim individuals on Snapchat and extorting money from them, exploiting their reluctance to involve the police, according to a detective.
Waleed Saeed, 31, of Ilford, east London, received his sentence at Snaresbrook Crown Court and authorities suspect there may be more victims involved.
The Metropolitan Police revealed that Saeed posed as a young or transgender woman on Snapchat to solicit intimate photos from young men. He then coerced them into giving him money by threatening to expose their true identities to their families, communities, schools, workplaces, and friends.
Detective Constable Peter Collington, the lead investigator, described the manipulative behavior as causing significant harm, especially to two victims aged 15 and 17.
Saeed faced charges for multiple offenses, including rape, blackmail, and possession of indecent images of children, with the investigation into his activities starting in 2024 after a rape was reported in a London park.
Using various online aliases, Saeed threatened victims with exposure and coerced them into late-night meetings where he sexually assaulted them. It took authorities months to trace his online activities and make an arrest, uncovering further potential victims in the process.
The investigation revealed a pattern of targeting young men from South Asian and Muslim backgrounds, with Saeed preying on their perceived reluctance to report crimes.
Following his guilty plea and conviction for multiple charges, including rape and blackmail, Saeed was also issued a 10-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
The Metropolitan Police urged anyone recognizing Saeed’s online personas to come forward, emphasizing the importance of seeking justice for victims of exploitation. Detective Collington encouraged other potential victims to seek support and assured them of confidentiality and assistance in seeking justice.
Individuals with relevant information were asked to contact the police, quoting the case number for reference.
