Australian man Muhammad Zain Ul Abideen Rasheed, 29, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for one of the worst sextortion cases in the country’s history. Rasheed posed as a famous teenager on social media to manipulate over 250 victims, many of whom were minors, into performing explicit acts. Despite their distress, Rasheed continued to blackmail them with threats of exposing their private information.
The Australian Federal Police and the Western Australia Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team conducted a joint investigation that led to Rasheed’s arrest. Judge Amanda Burrows stated that Rasheed’s offense was of unprecedented magnitude in the country, with no comparable case. Rasheed pretended to be a 15-year-old American internet star to initiate conversations with his targets, leading to discussions about sexual fantasies.
Rasheed would threaten the victims to send their responses to friends and family unless they performed degrading sex acts, at times including family pets or other children in their home. Despite victims expressing suicidal thoughts and distress, Rasheed continued to blackmail them. He has been convicted of multiple charges, including sexual assault, and will be eligible for parole in August 2033.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner David McLean described Rasheed’s actions as callous and expressed horror at his disregard for the distress, humiliation, and fear he caused his victims. The case highlights the dangers of online predators and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
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