Sick Online Blackmailer Jailed for 32 Years Over Global Child Abuse Spree
Abdul Hasib Elahi’s Twisted Reign of Terror
Abdul Hasib Elahi, 26, has been locked up for 32 years after targeting nearly 2,000 victims worldwide in what the National Crime Agency calls one of its most horrific investigations ever.
Posing as wealthy businessmen or stockbrokers on sugar daddy websites, Elahi lured victims with promises of thousands of pounds for nude or semi-nude photos. Many were in debt or underage, vulnerable and easy to manipulate. He also tracked targets down via social media.
Using fake bank screenshots, Elahi convinced victims he was paying. He quickly moved conversations to WhatsApp — protected by end-to-end encryption — to avoid detection.
Nightmare Blackmail and Abuse
Once Elahi had enough damning images, he threatened to expose victims’ photos to family and friends unless they sent even worse pictures and videos. His sick demands included making victims self-harm and, chillingly, forcing them to abuse children or siblings.
Some victims, gripped by fear, felt they had no choice but to obey.
The NCA revealed Elahi contacted at least 196 victims in the UK and over 600 total across the country. His vile network stretched to 20 other nations, including the US (1,367 women contacted), Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Profiting from Horror
Elahi didn’t just abuse his victims; he recorded the exploitation and classified the content on cloud storage. He sold ‘box sets’ of the abuse on encrypted apps like Telegram, raking in more than £25,000.
This caused further trauma as victims’ images spread among family and friends, sparking additional blackmail attempts.
Justice Delivered at Birmingham Crown Court
Elahi pleaded guilty to 158 charges ranging from blackmail and producing indecent images of children to sexual assault and encouraging child abuse. The case involved 72 identified victims, aged from just eight months old to adults — all safeguarded where possible.
Arrested in December 2018 after a tip-off about blackmailing a 15-year-old girl in the US, Elahi faced extensive global investigations and was finally sentenced this year.
“I still think about these incidents often which makes me sad,” said one victim, who attempted overdose after Elahi posted her images online. “For two years, this person has ruined my life… I feel this will be with me for the rest of my life.”
Another survivor said: “Knowing that this cancerous polyp of a human being has been caught gives me great relief… but the dread will never leave me.”
Tony Cook, NCA Head of CSA Operations, labelled Elahi a “depraved sadist” whose crimes left lifelong scars.
He urged anyone suffering online abuse to report it and highlighted the dangers of predators posing under fake identities.
Wider Impact and Support
Elahi’s arrest launched further probes into his pals, with several more men convicted.
Sophie Mortimer of the Revenge Porn Helpline praised the sentencing, revealing the removal of over 135,000 abusive images linked to Elahi’s victims, a 90% takedown rate.
Kirsty Nicholls, 36, of Northolt, Middlesex, who was involved in two sexual assaults alongside Elahi, was sentenced to nearly seven years.
If you believe you are a victim or have information, contact the NCA at [email protected].
