Australian authorities have successfully brought a notorious predator to justice after he posed as a famous teenage YouTuber to blackmail hundreds of girls into performing sex acts on camera. Muhammad Zain Ul Abideen Rasheed, 29, has been sentenced to 17 years in jail after pleading guilty to 119 charges involving 286 victims from 20 countries, with two-thirds of them being under the age of 16.
Rasheed’s despicable actions involved coercing his victims into a cycle of increasingly extreme abuse by threatening to expose explicit messages and images of them to their loved ones. This case has been described as “one of the worst sextortion cases” in history by Australian authorities.
“The callous disregard this man had for his victims around the world and their distress, humiliation, and fear make it one of the most horrific sextortion cases prosecuted in Australia,” said Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner David McLean.
During the sentencing, Judge Amanda Burrows emphasized the magnitude of Rasheed’s offense, stating that there was “no comparable case” in the country. Rasheed pretended to be a 15-year-old American internet star to lure his victims into conversations about sexual fantasies before blackmailing them into performing degrading sex acts, sometimes involving family pets and other children in their homes.
The court also heard that Rasheed was involved in misogynistic “incel” communities online and would even livestream the distressing acts to as many as 98 viewers. Despite his victims expressing suicidal thoughts and extreme fear, Rasheed continued his blackmail, showing a complete lack of empathy.
Rasheed was apprehended after Australian authorities were alerted by Interpol and US investigators, leading to a police raid on his home in 2020. He is currently serving a five-year prison term for sexually abusing a 14-year-old and has been deemed a high risk of reoffending. He will be eligible to apply for parole in August 2033.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online exploitation and abuse, highlighting the lifelong trauma it can cause to victims. Australian authorities are urging individuals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
