Two men have been convicted for a series of burglaries targeting victims through the dating app Grindr in London. Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 22, and Mohammed Bilal Hotak, 21, were found guilty of burglary, fraud, and theft at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday. The duo committed 35 burglaries and 20 linked frauds between October 2024 and March this year, affecting 22 victims, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The convictions are the result of a thorough investigation by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, initiated in March. Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Met’s hate crime lead overseeing the case, commended the victims for their strength during the investigation. He also acknowledged the support of the Met’s LGBT+ Advisory Group and the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, GALOP, in ensuring sensitive and careful handling of the case.
The Metropolitan Police received reports of phone thefts across London, all following a similar pattern. The perpetrators, Mohammadi and Hotak, would engage with victims on Grindr, arranging to meet at their residences. Once inside, they used distraction tactics to obtain mobile phone passwords, subsequently stealing the handsets and leaving quickly, often using a getaway vehicle.
The pair then accessed victims’ personal data for making payments, withdrawing money, or transferring funds. Additionally, high-value items like wallets, passports, and watches were also stolen in some incidents. Extensive investigative efforts, including reviewing CCTV footage, ANPR data, and phone records, linked Mohammadi and Hotak to each other and the crimes.
Mohammadi, residing in Harrow, was charged on April 5 with one count of theft, 17 counts of burglary, and 12 fraud offenses. Hotak, living in Hackney, was charged on April 25 with one count of theft, 14 counts of burglary, and nine fraud offenses. The sentencing for both individuals will take place at Isleworth Crown Court at a later date.
