Man Posed as Boy Online to Sexually Exploit Vulnerable Girls

Valmiki Rampersad, aged 47, of Morden, south London, was jailed for six years after he posed as a boy online in order to sexually exploit vulnerable girls.

Croydon Crown Court heard he targeted and preyed on 21 different children aged between 13 and 15 years old.

Rampersad was a prolific offender between October 2017 and September 2018.

Rampersad used a popular social networking website called Mylol.com, which is “designed for teen dating” according to police.

He used the website as a way of meeting and sexually exploiting vulnerable young children.

In order to befriend children, Rampersad created 78 fake profiles pretending to be a teenage boy. The aliases had been carefully-constructed and elaborate.

Whilst posing as a boy, Rampersad would engage his victims in highly explicit sexting, fantasy role-play and live web camera chats.

In December 2017, detectives from the Metropolitan Police executed a search warrant at Rampersad’s home address. Officers found and seized a number of electronic devices.

Rampersad was subsequently arrested two days after the search of his home.

At Croydon Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to 26 offences.

The offences include 21 counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child, four counts of causing/inciting a girl, aged 13 to 15, to engage in sexual activity and one of making indecent photographs of a child.

Detective Constable Tom Ward explained that Rampersad used social media to target his victims but went on to say that the police believe that there are more victims who are yet to come forward. He said:

“Rampersad used social media to prey on young vulnerable teenage girls, invading the privacy of their own homes for the sole purpose of gaining sexual gratification.

“I would like to praise the courage of those girls who have spoken with us.

“However, we believe that there may be other victims who have not come forward or been identified.

“I would encourage anyone who has been coerced in such a way to contact the police.

“This case is a stark reminder that there are people who use the internet and social media sites as a way to commit sexual offences. It is up to all us, not just the police, to speak to young people and advise them on how they can safely use technology.

My London News reported that on January 23, 2020, Rampersad was sentenced to six years in prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.