AKASH SONDI FROM CHAFFORD HUNDRED JAILED FOR HACKING AND BLACKMAILING NEARLY 600 FEMALES WORLDWIDE

In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Akash Sondhi, a 27-year-old man from Chafford Hundred, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after a series of disturbing online offenses that spanned over five years. His criminal activities involved targeting nearly 600 women and teenage girls across the globe, including victims from the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, Romania, and other countries, highlighting the extensive reach of his malicious actions.

Between 2015 and 2020, Sondhi engaged in a pattern of hacking into Snapchat accounts belonging to young women and girls aged between 16 and 25. His modus operandi involved gaining unauthorized access to these accounts, then coercing or threatening his victims into sending him explicit images. In some cases, he would threaten to publicly expose existing images to the victims' contacts, including friends and family, thereby exerting psychological pressure and fear.

The police investigation was triggered when several victims came forward, prompting officers from Essex Police’s Cyber Crime Unit to conduct a raid on Sondhi’s residence located on Hedingham Road in Chafford Hundred. The raid took place on March 19 of the previous year, leading to the recovery of evidence and the identification of numerous victims. Since then, law enforcement officials have provided support to those affected by his actions, emphasizing the serious impact of his crimes.

Sondhi faced multiple charges, admitting to a total of 65 offenses that included hacking, blackmail, and voyeurism. His court appearance at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday, January 5, culminated in a sentencing that reflects the severity of his crimes. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison, with additional measures including a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order to monitor his activities post-release. Furthermore, he was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of 10 years, underscoring the ongoing concern regarding his conduct and the protection of potential future victims.