Somali man accused of deceiving Muslim men on Snapchat and Grindr sentenced to prison

Somali man accused of deceiving Muslim men on Snapchat and Grindr sentenced to prison

A man who created over 100 fake social media profiles to exploit and abuse other Muslim men has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Waleed Siciid, a Muslim of Somali origin but a British citizen, was sentenced in what a Metropolitan Police officer described as the largest case of "grooming" he has encountered.

The Snaresbrook Crown Court in London heard how the 31-year-old used fake Snapchat, Instagram, and Grindr accounts to target images of Muslim men and boys aged 15, most of whom were specifically identified as being bisexual.

He then threatened to "out" their friends and families.

When victims were unable to pay his ransom, he attempted to coerce them into meeting him in person to exploit them.

Siciid was found guilty of 17 offenses including rape, abuse, and making indecent images of children.

In March, Siciid admitted nine charges related to four victims, including two charges of threatening to share private images, and making indecent images of a child.

The jury then found him guilty of eight other offenses including rape, attempted rape, and abuse.

BBC understands that the Met is now looking into up to 100 other potential victims.

DC Peter Collington, who led the investigation, told the BBC: "I am directly appealing to other victims who may not have the confidence to come forward. We want to treat you with compassion, sensitivity, and complete confidentiality; what has happened to you is wrong, and we will do everything we can to support you."