Two burglars have been jailed for using the dating app Grindr to trick victims into letting them into their London homes before stealing their phones and money. Rahmat Khan Mohammadi (23) received a five-year sentence, while Mohammed Bilal Hotak (27) was sentenced to three and a half years at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday. The Afghan refugees targeted men through the app, gaining access to phone passwords before conducting fraudulent online transfers.
Mohammadi targeted 11 victims between October 2024 and March this year. Hotak committed offences in October and December 2024. Their method involved asking victims to play music on YouTube as a pretext to obtain phone passwords. While victims were distracted - sent to fetch drinks or take showers - the burglars stole their mobile phones and used them for contactless payments and bank transfers.
The Grindr profiles typically lacked photos or used false images. On some occasions, Mohammadi brought Hotak along to the meetings.
Devastating Impact on Victims
Victims described severe psychological trauma and financial consequences. Cody Aker, whose home was burgled in December, told the court he experienced «severe psychological trauma» requiring hospitalisation. He covered his CCTV cameras with plastic bags due to paranoia following the incident.
«I strongly perceive this incident as a hate crime – I was targeted specifically on the basis of my sexuality,» Aker stated. «The suspects used Grindr, a gay dating app, as a hunting ground.»
Petros Petrou recounted being led to Golders Hill Park in October, where he was encouraged to undress before his phone was stolen. «My phone was taken from me I was left in shock, cold and deeply humiliated,» he said. The theft was «invasive and degrading» and caused «serious financial hardship» requiring him to take out a loan.
Another victim, Lester Macabodbod, believed the burglars assumed gay men «wouldn't go to the police.»
Perceived Vulnerability, Not Hate Crime
Judge Adenike Balogun acknowledged the serious impact on victims. «I have taken note of the psychological trauma as well as the inconvenience caused to the victims, and the distress that all of them have expressed at allowing you into their homes – into their private space – only to be violated,» she said during sentencing.
The judge determined victims were targeted due to their «perceived vulnerability» rather than hostility towards their sexuality. «The presumed sexual orientation of the victims presented an opportunity for you to commit the crime,» she explained. The app provided «an opportunity to gain easy access into the homes of the victims.»
She added: «I suspect you were – and I put no higher than that – banking on the victims not reporting the crime.»
Mohammadi, of Weald Lane in Harrow, was convicted of 10 counts of burgling a dwelling, nine counts of fraud by false representation, and one count of theft. Hotak, of Richmond Road in Hackney, was convicted of five counts of burgling a dwelling, five counts of fraud, and one count of theft. Both were acquitted on multiple other charges.
Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Metropolitan Police's hate crime lead, said: «Mohammadi and Hotak carried out a series of callous, calculated, pre-planned crimes across London, targeting men and stealing high-value items and money.» He added: «Their actions had a devastating impact on their victims. Nobody should be made to feel unsafe in their own homes and they will have to live with the trauma these men have caused them.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
