A rapist who used Snapchat to target young Muslim and south Asian men, believing they would be less likely to speak to police, has been jailed for 16 years.
Offender's Modus Operandi
Waleed Saeed, 31, of Azalea Close, Ilford, east London, posed as a young woman or transgender woman on Snapchat to request intimate images, according to the Metropolitan Police. He then exploited the victims for money by revealing his true identity and threatening to expose them to their families, communities, universities, workplaces, and friends.
Two of his victims were aged 15 and 17. Detective Constable Peter Collington, the lead investigator, described the offending as showing "a level of deliberate manipulation and cruelty that caused immense harm."
Investigation and Sentencing
Saeed was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday for 17 offences against five victims, including rape, blackmail, and making indecent images of children. The investigation began in August 2024 after a man reported being raped in a London park. The victim had exchanged sexual images with someone he believed was a transgender woman, but Saeed later revealed his true identity and demanded money. When the victim could not pay, Saeed coerced him into three late-night meetings in a park, where he sexually assaulted and raped him while wearing a face covering.
Officers traced the social media accounts to Saeed and arrested him in November 2024. Two mobile phones contained intimate images linked to further unidentified victims, some believed to be children. He was initially charged with eight counts, and later nine more charges were added after officers uncovered reports dating back to 2018 from London and other parts of the UK.
Plea and Conviction
On March 2 this year, Saeed pleaded guilty to charges relating to four victims, including blackmail, making indecent images of a child, and intimidation. A jury found him guilty on March 12 of further charges relating to a fifth victim, including four counts of rape of a man aged 16 or over, attempted rape, and causing a male to engage in penetrative sexual activity.
In addition to the 16-year sentence, Saeed was handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
Appeal for Further Victims
Detective Constable Collington urged other victims to come forward, stating: "We want to be absolutely clear that no one should ever have their sexuality exploited or weaponised against them in this way. You will be treated with compassion, sensitivity and absolute confidentiality."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Met Police on 101 quoting reference 5335/18JUNE2026.
