MOHAMMED SARANG FROM WEMBLEY ESCAPES PRISON AFTER GROOMING WIGAN SCHOOLGIRLS AND POSING AS MODEL AGENT

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming, Mohammed Sarang, a 20-year-old man from Wembley, has admitted to engaging in a series of predatory activities targeting schoolgirls from Wigan. The case was heard at Harrow Crown Court, where Sarang pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to child exploitation and indecent imagery.

According to court records, Sarang was convicted of inciting a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity, taking indecent photographs of a minor, and causing or inciting the production of indecent images of children. Despite the severity of these charges, Sarang was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence, meaning he will not serve time in custody unless he commits further offenses within the suspension period.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Sarang was placed under a supervision order for two years, which requires him to regularly report to authorities and adhere to specific conditions aimed at preventing further offending. He was also subject to a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order, restricting his activities and contact with minors, and was mandated to participate in a 60-day training program designed to address his behavior.

The investigation revealed that Sarang had used sophisticated methods to target his victims. He remotely hacked into the Facebook account of one of his victim’s friends, gaining access to her profile and personal information. Sarang then took over her identity by creating a fake account under the alias Nicola Hay, falsely presenting himself as a female modelling agent. This deception was part of his strategy to lure young girls into his web of manipulation.

Using the fake identity, Sarang befriended several girls from the Wigan area on various social media platforms. He convinced them that he could help secure modelling opportunities, which was a lie designed to build trust and establish a connection. To further his exploitative plans, Sarang invited these girls to participate in webcam auditions, during which he would ask them to undress and perform sexual acts, exploiting their innocence and trust.

The criminal activities came to light when the mother of one of Sarang’s victims became suspicious after discovering an online conversation between her daughter and someone called “Nicola.” Concerned about the nature of the communication, she contacted Greater Manchester Police. This led to a joint investigation involving both GMP and the Metropolitan Police, culminating in Sarang’s arrest following a search of his Wembley residence.

During the search, officers recovered computers and electronic devices containing conversations between Sarang and his victims, providing concrete evidence of his grooming activities. Detective Inspector Joanne Clawson commented on the case, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling online child exploitation. She stated, “We worked extremely closely with The Met throughout their investigation and I am pleased that we were able to identify and put a stop to the actions of Mohammed Sarang, who used the internet to groom young children from Wigan and other areas within the UK.”

Inspector Clawson further explained that law enforcement officials had visited more than 60 children in Wigan who had come into contact with Sarang, many of whom had befriended him through mutual friends. The visits aimed to provide safeguarding advice to the children and their families, reinforcing the importance of vigilance in the digital age. She urged parents to monitor their children’s online activities closely, especially their social media interactions, and to report any suspicious behavior to authorities. “With the internet in the palm of their hands, it is crucial to scrutinize who they are ‘friends’ with and to be alert to any concerns,” she added.

Greater Manchester’s multi-agency initiative, Project Phoenix, continues to combat child sexual exploitation by bringing together police, local authorities, NHS, and third-sector organizations such as Barnardo’s and Crimestoppers. The project aims to raise awareness, recognize warning signs, encourage reporting, and support victims and at-risk youth. For more information on how to identify and respond to child sex exploitation, visit http://www.itsnotokay.co.uk, which provides resources for children, parents, carers, and professionals.