The Chester Crown Court handed down the sentence, along with an additional eight years of extended supervision, following proceedings over a series of serious online child sexual exploitation offences.
According to reports by British media outlets Sky News and ITV, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Qazi used a fake online identity to target young girls and gain their trust.
The accused allegedly posed as a 14-year-old white British boy under the name "Reece" on social media and gaming platforms. He reportedly used a photograph of an unidentified young person to make his false identity appear genuine.
Qazi contacted underage girls through platforms including Snapchat, Roblox, Wink and Wizz. He allegedly developed online relationships with them, presenting himself as a teenager and convincing them that he was romantically interested in them.
After gaining their trust, he pressured the girls into sharing inappropriate photographs and videos. His demands reportedly escalated over time, turning the online relationships into cases of sexual exploitation, harassment and blackmail.
The case highlights the growing threat of online child sexual exploitation and the risks children face on social media and gaming applications.
It also underlines the importance of online safety, parental supervision and stronger action against individuals who use fake identities to target minors.