Rapist who used social media to blackmail Muslim men jailed for 16 years

Rapist who used social media to blackmail Muslim men jailed for 16 years 19 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Josh Parry LGBT & identity reporter Metropolitan Police A man who created more than 100 fake social media profiles to blackmail and sexually assault other young Muslim men has been jailed for 16 years. Waleed Saeed, a British-born Muslim of Somali descent, was sentenced in what one Metropolitan Police officer described as the biggest "sexploitation" case he has dealt with. Snaresbrook Crown Court, London, heard how the 31-year-old used a network of fake Snapchat, Instagram and Grindr profiles to solicit intimate images of Muslim men and teenagers as young as 15, many of whom privately identified as gay or bisexual. He would then threaten to "out" them to their friends and family. On occasions when victims could not pay his ransom, he would attempt to coerce them into meeting in person so he could sexually assault them. Saeed had been convicted of 17 offences, including rape, blackmail and making indecent images of children. The BBC understands The Met are now looking into around 100 more potential victims. DC Peter Collington, who led the force's investigation, told the BBC: "I am making a direct appeal to other victim-survivors who may not have had the confidence to come forward. "We want to treat you with compassion, with sensitivity and with absolute confidentiality. What has been done to you is wrong, and we will do everything in our power to support you." Crime