A 36-year-old man from Greater Manchester has been sentenced to eight years in prison after he orchestrated a chilling stalking campaign in which he created a fake Tinder profile in the name of a former partner and lured multiple men to her home, some of whom mistakenly believed she wanted to fulfill a “rape fantasy”.Asad Hussain, also known as Ash Hussain, was convicted of stalking with serious alarm or distress, assault and failing to comply with an order to provide a password to an electronic device. The court also imposed a 15-year restraining order on him.According to investigators, Hussein first contacted the woman in April 2024 using the alias “Mick Rainey” on social media.The pair dated several times but their relationship quickly deteriorated as Hussain allegedly became increasingly controlling.The woman ended the relationship in May after discovering what she considered unacceptable behavior. Despite repeated rejections, Hussain continued to try to rekindle the romance.
Fake dating profiles used to target victims
After being rejected, Hussain allegedly created a fake Tinder profile using the woman’s photos and personal details. Through that account, he began inviting strangers to her home and sharing her address and phone number.What started as a message encouraging men to visit her home quickly escalated into something much more sinister.Several men later told police they were told the woman wished to engage in “rape fantasies” and to be “roughed up”. Some were even told that if she said “no,” it meant she “wanted it more,” The Guardian reported.Over the next few weeks, several men showed up at her door, believing they had been invited by the woman.On one occasion, a man forced the front door open, smashing a glass panel in the process, after being told it was open but “stiff”.In another shocking incident, a stranger entered the property while the woman was at work, unaware that her teenage daughter was alone upstairs.Police believe at least 18 men were tricked into entering the house, but investigators suspect the actual number may be much higher.
Doorbell video helps police solve complex case
Cheshire Police launched an investigation in September 2024 after the victim reported the incident. Detectives initially had little information to work with because the woman did not know the true identity of “Mick Rainey.”Investigators eventually identified Hussain through video captured by the victim’s video doorbell. Video showed a man arriving multiple times in a white Audi R8, which was later traced to Hussain through vehicle registration and insurance records.Police also found evidence that Hussain used three separate mobile phones – one for personal use, one associated with the alias “Mick Rennie” and one used to operate a fake Tinder account.Although Hussain is believed to have destroyed the devices after learning of the findings, detectives managed to link the devices to him through telecommunications data, which showed the phones were often moved together.Several men who were tricked into the woman’s home also cooperated with investigators and provided important evidence.In her victim impact statement, the woman said the sentence would bring her some peace but would not erase the trauma caused to her and her daughter.The Guardian quoted her as saying: “No one has the right to make me feel unsafe in my own home because I don’t want to date them anymore.” She added that she remained concerned about how many people might have her address and believe false claims online.Investigators described the case as one of the most disturbing and technically complex stalking investigations ever handled by police, saying the conviction sent a clear message that perpetrators who use digital platforms to harass and intimidate victims can and will be tracked.
