Paedophile Abdul Elahi jailed for 32 years after blackmailing victims into child sex abuse
Online paedophile Abdul Elahi has been jailed for 32 years at Birmingham Crown Court after blackmailing victims into committing “sickening” child sex abuse while targeting almost 2,000 people.
Passing sentence, Judge Sarah Buckingham said Elahi, formerly of Sparkhill, Birmingham, had targeted financially desperate women and left them with "utterly horrific and never-ending" consequences.
Elahi posed as a banker, doctor, entrepreneur or stockbroker to amass images of degrading sexual acts, and then sold "box sets" of abuse to other paedophiles, the court heard.
He would then trick them into sending him naked or partially clothed images of themselves, promising payments of thousands of pounds for the pictures.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) describes the crimes of Elahi as "some of the most sickening sexual offending" it has ever investigated.
Judge Buckingham said he had caused such distress while bullying and threatening women and girls that some had considered taking their own lives.
The judge told Elahi: "You seemingly sneered in the face of their despair and suggested that they should just record their efforts.”
The judge added: "Your distribution of indecent images was on a vast scale, which allowed you to make money.
"The true number of your victims likely runs into thousands. You inhabited a raft of ‘sugar daddy’ websites targeting financially desperate women.
"In some cases they could not afford to eat.
"You plainly derived pleasure from the agony you caused – with complete disregard for your victims’ suffering.
"There was a sadistic element to your offending, demonstrated through the blackmail and the relentless targeting of children and young adults."
The judge also ordered Elahi to register as a sex offender for life.
The 26-year-old has admitted 158 charges committed against 72 complainants and is believed to have tried to exploit victims globally in 34 different countries.
His offending spanned a three-year period from 2017 to 2019, with some of the offences committed while he was on bail and subject to a sexual risk order.
Who to contact if you or someone you know needs help
If you are concerned about your safety online, please visit www.getsafeonline.org or call the Samaritans on 116 123 for confidential support.
Think U Know - Online blackmail advice for parents on young people being blackmailed online.
Child protection charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation also runs the Stop It Now! helpline – 0808 1000 900 – which offers confidential advice to anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s behaviour towards children.
Papyrus provide confidential advice and support and works to prevent young suicide in the UK. Call 0800 068 4141.
The Revenge Porn Helpline supports adults in the UK who have had intimate images shared without their consent.