A man named Waleed Saeed, aged 31 and residing in Ilford, east London, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court for his criminal acts. The Metropolitan Police revealed that Saeed, posing as a young or transgender woman on Snapchat, solicited intimate images from young men. Subsequently, he extorted money from them by threatening to expose their true identities to their families, communities, universities, workplaces, and friends.
Detective Constable Peter Collington, the lead investigator, described Saeed’s actions as deliberate manipulation and cruelty, particularly towards two victims aged 15 and 17. Saeed was found guilty of 17 offenses against five victims, including rape, blackmail, and creating indecent images of children.
Saeed targeted young men from south Asian and Muslim backgrounds, believing they would be hesitant to report to the police, starting his criminal activities in 2018. The investigation began in August 2024 when a man reported being raped in a London park after exchanging sexual images with someone he thought was a transgender woman on social media.
Following threats and blackmail, Saeed coerced the victim into multiple meetings where he sexually assaulted and raped him. It took authorities months to link Saeed to the crimes, eventually leading to his arrest in November 2024. Further investigations uncovered additional victims and offenses dating back to 2018.
Saeed faced multiple charges, including rape, blackmail, and creating indecent images of children. He was handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Protection Order and found guilty of additional charges related to a fifth victim. The Metropolitan Police urged individuals who may have interacted with Saeed under various usernames on Snapchat to come forward.
Detective Constable Collington encouraged other potential victims to contact the authorities, emphasizing support, confidentiality, and justice. Those with relevant information were urged to contact the police referencing case number 5335/18JUNE2026.