Australian Man Sentenced for Global Sextortion Case

Muhammad Zain Ul Abideen Rasheed, a 29-year-old Australian man, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for one of the most egregious cases of sextortion in history, involving over 250 victims, including 180 children from 20 countries. Posing as a famous teenage YouTuber, Rasheed coerced these individuals into performing explicit acts on camera, threatening to share their private images with family and friends if they refused. The case, described by authorities as a horrific example of online exploitation, saw Rasheed plead guilty to 119 charges after a lengthy investigation by the Australian Federal Police and international partners. Judge Amanda Burrows highlighted the unprecedented scale and severity of his offenses, noting the deep trauma inflicted on victims, many of whom expressed suicidal thoughts during the abuse. Rasheed's actions were compounded by his involvement in misogynistic online communities and his practice of livestreaming the abuse to others. This case has prompted calls for increased awareness and prevention measures against online exploitation and abuse.