Gang 'lured' American tourist to London Airbnb in honeytrap kidnap plot and told his family they would 'stab him and cut off his fingers' if they didn't hand over £50,000

By LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS REPORTER Published: 19:17, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 19:17, 21 July 2026 A gang who lured an American tourist into a 'honeytrap' before abducting him and demanding a £50,000 ransom from his family have been jailed for more than 30 years. Ayub Ali, from San Diego, California, was visiting London when he was tricked into travelling to an Airbnb in Wembley on October 4 last year after being contacted by Bushra Ahmed, 20, who had befriended him days earlier. Instead of the meeting he had expected, the 20-year-old was chased by armed men, bundled into a white Mercedes and held captive while his kidnappers threatened to stab him and cut off his fingers unless his terrified relatives in the United States paid up. At Southwark Crown Court, Aton Okuefuna, 21, Ayoub Salad, 20, Nathaniel Mebrathu, 20, and Ahmed had already admitted blackmail and false imprisonment. Okuefuna also admitted possessing cannabis. Daevon Desrie, 22, denied the offences but was convicted by a jury of blackmail and false imprisonment. He was acquitted of kidnap and possessing a bladed article. Judge Stephen Tomlinson jailed the five defendants for a combined total of 30 years and five months, describing the plot as a ransom scheme carried out for financial gain. The court heard Ahmed had met Mr Ali and his brother, Yusef Ahmed, in the days before the attack after taking an interest in their luxury watches and cars, which they had also displayed on social media. During one meeting she tried on a Rolex watch and took a selfie while wearing it. She later persuaded the brothers to meet her at an Airbnb in Lawns Court, Wembley.  Ayub Ali, from San Diego, California , was visiting London when he was tricked into travelling to an Airbnb in Wembley on October 4 last year after being contacted by Bushra Ahmed, 20 (above)  Aton Okuefuna was jailed for six years for false imprisonment and five years for blackmail But when they arrived, the property's owner refused them entry, telling them: 'There are already too many people in this house, you are not coming in.' Moments later, four armed men chased the pair down the street before seizing Mr Ali and forcing him into a waiting Mercedes. Prosecutor Brett Weaver said: 'Whilst with the men, Mr Ali had his phone taken from him, the men were able to access it and look through it. 'They found a picture of a Rolex, which made them believe he had a lot of money. 'They made phone calls to his family in America but were careful to take turns making the demands and ensured each call lasted "no more than two minutes".' Mr Weaver added: 'He was punched during the calls [and] they remained with him throughout the time he was there.' The gang demanded £50,000 in cash or cryptocurrency from Mr Ali's family and warned that if the money was not handed over, they would mutilate and kill him. The prosecutor said: 'Threats to stab him and cut off his fingers were made if money was not sent.' Relatives were also told Mr Ali 'would be killed' if they failed to meet the demand. Police intercepted the white Mercedes later that evening and arrested four of the defendants while Mr Ali was still inside the vehicle.  Ahmed was arrested separately at her home after officers discovered messages on her phone showing she had arranged the meeting. Although she admitted sending the messages, Ahmed claimed they had been 'meant as a joke'. Ayoub Salad received five years and five months for false imprisonment and five years concurrently for blackmail Daevon Desrie was jailed for eight years for false imprisonment and seven years for blackmail, to run concurrently, with a further 12 months activated from a suspended sentence after storming out of the dock In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Ali described the lasting psychological impact of the ordeal. He said: 'Before this happened, I felt safe and independent. Since the incident, I no longer feel like the same person. 'I live with constant fear and anxiety. I am always alert and worried something bad could happen again. 'I no longer feel safe in situations that used to feel normal to me. I often replay the events in my mind and struggle to process what happened. 'What happened to me was terrifying. I continue to deal with the consequences every day. This incident has changed me as a person.' Passing sentence, Judge Tomlinson told the defendants: 'You all played a part in the joint enterprise in the kidnap of Ayub Ali, who had travelled here from the West Coast of America. 'In my judgement it carries no significant weight that some of you came into this later in the offending. 'The simple fact is once that car was parked, it was evident to everyone at the scene that Ayub Ali was a prisoner, and that he was held at ransom. 'The offence was clearly committed in the context of other criminal activity, it was clearly committed for financial gain.' Desrie was jailed for eight years for false imprisonment and seven years for blackmail, to run concurrently, with a further 12 months activated from a suspended sentence after storming out of the dock. Mebrathu received six-and-a-half years for false imprisonment and five-and-a-half years for blackmail, to run concurrently. Ahmed was sentenced to five years for false imprisonment and four-and-a-half years for blackmail, also to run concurrently. Okuefuna was jailed for six years for false imprisonment and five years for blackmail, while Salad received five years and five months for false imprisonment and five years concurrently for blackmail.