They even stole expensive bits like wallets, passports and watches
Two ‘calculated’ burglars stole from 22 people they befriended on dating app Grindr. Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 22, of Weald Lane in Harrow and Mohammed Bilal Hotak, 21, of Richmond Road in Hackney, carried out 35 burglaries and 20 related frauds between October 2024 and March this year.
Once they’d convinced their victims to let them in, they’d distract them and get phone codes and pinch the handsets, before making their getaways in nearby cars. The duo would then hack into the victims’ systems to make payments, withdraw cash or send the money to separate accounts.
They even stole expensive items like wallets, passports and watches. Mohammadi was nabbed on Thursday, April 3, and charged with one count of theft, 17 counts of burglary and 12 fraud offences on Saturday, April 5. They were found guilty of burglary, fraud and theft at Isleworth Crown Court today, Tuesday, November 4.
Hotak was taken in three weeks later on Thursday, 24 April and charged the next day on Friday, April 25, with one count of theft, 14 counts of burglary and nine fraud offences. The pair will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court at a later date.
Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Met’s hate crime lead who oversaw the investigation said: “Mohammadi and Hotak carried out a series of callous, calculated, pre-planned offences across London, targeting unsuspecting men and resulting in high-value items and money being stolen, and I welcome today’s outcome at court.
“I’d like to praise the victims who have shown great strength throughout our investigation, as well the Met’s LGBT+ Advisory Group and the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, GALOP, which enabled us to ensure we conducted our work with sensitivity and care.
“The Met is fully committed to ensuring all communities in London feel safe, as well as continuing to enhance the trust and confidence LGBT+ people place in us. Organised crime has a devastating impact on society and will simply not be tolerated.”
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