Snapchat Predator Raveen Saily Admits Further Offending Against Young Victims

By Hannah Bartlett — Tauranga · NZ Herald · 5 August 2025

In a shocking and disturbing case that has sent ripples through the Bay of Plenty community, 23-year-old Raveen Saily has pleaded guilty to new charges related to grooming and indecent communication with an 11-year-old girl. This comes after he was already on bail, awaiting trial for a rape charge involving a 13-year-old girl from Rotorua. The case has raised serious concerns about online safety, the vulnerability of young victims, and the need for stronger legal and technological safeguards to protect children from predators who exploit social media platforms like Snapchat.

A Disturbing Pattern of Abuse

Saily’s criminal history shows a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. In May 2024, while already awaiting trial for an unrelated rape charge, he met an 11-year-old girl through Snapchat using the alias “John.” He asked the girl to be his girlfriend, despite her being only 11 years old. The girl’s mother discovered the relationship when she looked at her daughter’s phone and found explicit messages from Saily. The girl became emotionally dependent on him, believing she was in a relationship with an older boy who loved her and wanted to see her send him sexually explicit images.

Explicit Communications and Manipulation

During their interactions, Saily encouraged the girl to perform sexual acts while he watched via video calls. He told her he wanted to drive from Tauranga to have sex with her, and even described himself as “freaky,” with a particular interest in sexual arousal from faecal matter. His manipulation extended to instructing the girl to move to parts of her home away from her caregiver, giving him complete control over her actions.

Offending Discovered During a Routine Traffic Stop

The 13-year-old victim’s case was uncovered in a rather unusual way. In June 2024, Saily filmed the girl performing a sexual act on him and sent the video to the 11-year-old. The video was discovered when police examined Saily’s phone after arresting him during a routine traffic stop. It was during this stop that officers became suspicious about the age gap between Saily and the girl, leading to further investigation.

A Knife and a Knife-Point Rape

During the trial in Tauranga District Court, the court heard harrowing details about the rape of the 16-year-old girl. The victim had no prior sexual experience and was forced to perform sexual acts on Saily, who threatened her with a knife. Saily claimed the encounter was consensual, but the Crown described this as “utterly fanciful,” given the girl’s age and lack of experience. He was sentenced to nine years and two months in prison for this crime and will be sentenced again in December for the offenses against the 11-year-old and the 13-year-old girl.

A Call for Greater Online Safety

This case has underscored the urgent need for greater online safety measures, especially for young users who may not fully understand the risks of engaging with strangers online. Parents, educators, and social media platforms must play a role in protecting children from exploitation and ensuring that predators like Saily are swiftly brought to justice. The emotional and psychological scars on these young victims are likely to last a lifetime, and it is a stark reminder of the dangers lurking behind the screen.

Conclusion

Raveen Saily’s case is a grim reminder of the potential for abuse on digital platforms and the need for stronger legal frameworks and community awareness to prevent such crimes. As the trial continues, the voices of the victims will remain at the center of the story, a powerful call for justice and protection for all children online and in real life.