Current timestamp: 09/07/2025 16:12:59
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Cookies

We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.

Accept cookies Reject cookies Customise cookies

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Greater Manchester Police crest

  • Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Spiking
    • Stalking or harassment
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
    • Hate crime
  • Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
  • Back to Apply or register

    • Careers and volunteering
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Back to Request

    • Compensation for something the police have done
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
    • Request an update
  • Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Feedback about the website
    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
  • Your area
  1. ...
  2. News

Preston man jailed following sustained campaign of ‘horrific’ blackmail offences

Main article content

News
Published: 15:52 10/08/2022
MAHMOOD zehshan ( 002)
Zeashan Mahmood

A 29-year-old man from Preston has today (10 August 2022), been jailed for seven years and three months after he committed blackmail involving two victims over a three-year period.

Zeashan Mahmood (DOB 02/06/1992), of Foxtail Close in Clifton, Preston, pleaded guilty to two counts of blackmail and three counts of distributing indecent images with intent to cause distress.

During the trial at Preston Crown Court, two victims came forward to testify in the case against Mahmood.

One victim told of how she had disclosed private pictures and videos to Mahmood in 2017, when in January 2018, Mahmood told her that he was in financial difficulty and pressured her to send him money.

He then contacted her at a later date via Instagram under an alias and threatened her – demanding that she send him more money, or he would share the private pictures and videos online. He also made threats against her loved ones if she did not comply. Fearful that this would happen, the victim sent Mahmood approximately £20,000 in payments.

The second victim told the court of how she disclosed to Mahmood an intimate sexual experience she had with a boyfriend.

Mahmood subsequently claimed that he had a video of this incident and then demanded £7,000 from her and again threatened that he would send the video to her family and friends if she did not pay the fee.

In addition, Mahmood demanded that the victim send intimate pictures, videos and texts of a sexual nature. If she did not do this, he threatened to increase the fee.

The defendant told the victim that he needed money to stop the videos from being published. He said the blackmail was part of his involvement in an organised crime group.

Mahmood later created more fake Instagram accounts, which he used to message the victim and convince her that his claim was real so that she would continue sending sexual content and money to him.

Across a three year period, the victim sent Mahmood in excess of £66,000.

Despite the money handed over to Mahmood, he then proceeded to post the videos he'd received of the victim onto the internet, where he encouraged users to share it around.

Upon the victim's report to police, the defendant sent Moonpig cards to her address, telling her "money is needed". He also sent emails, stating "guess who is alive" with attachments of sexual images of the victim, threatening to finally expose her further.  

Mahmood was arrested in February 2021 as part of a joint effort between Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Police.

Detective Constable Brundrett, of GMP Manchester's Criminal Investigation Department, said: "I would like to thank the victims for having the bravery to speak out about this horrific and long-term abuse. 

"Over three years, Mahmood operated a web of lies and manipulated the victims to get exactly what he wanted, when he wanted.

"The severity of these offences should not be underestimated. Today's sentence is much deserved and reaffirms our commitment as police officers to put these perpetrators behind bars and prevent this awful crime from occurring."

Share

Footer navigation

Greater Manchester Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Partner services
  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • The Mayor of Greater Manchester
  • Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

Follow us on

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.