Authorities in Ghana and Kenya are investigating allegations that a Russian national secretly filmed sexual encounters with women in both countries and shared the footage online without their consent.
African and Russian media reports have identified the suspect as a self-described “pick-up artist” and online blogger in his 30s. He is accused of covertly recording intimate encounters and distributing the videos on social media platforms.
According to the reports, the man allegedly used sunglasses fitted with a hidden camera to film some of the encounters, although officials have not independently confirmed this detail.
Ghanaian authorities said the suspect is believed to have left the country. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection said his departure would not diminish the seriousness of the allegations or the state’s obligation to pursue accountability.
Ghana’s Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, said the government intends to seek the man’s extradition from Russia and has requested cooperation from Moscow through diplomatic channels. He added that Interpol would be engaged in efforts to locate the suspect.
“We will activate every resource at our disposal,” George said, adding that Ghana would proceed with a trial in absentia if the suspect does not return to face charges.
Russia’s embassy in Accra said it had taken note of the reports but did not indicate whether Russian authorities would cooperate with Ghana’s investigation. Russia generally does not extradite its citizens, except in rare circumstances.
The same individual has also been accused of committing similar offences in Kenya. Kenya’s Minister of Gender, Culture and Children Services, Hanna Cheptumo, described the allegations as a serious case of gender-based violence.
In a statement, Cheptumo said security, investigative and prosecutorial agencies had been instructed to pursue the case urgently, including through cooperation with international partners due to its cross-border nature.
Under Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018, publishing intimate images without consent carries a penalty of up to two years in prison. Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act of 2020 imposes sentences of up to 25 years for the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, particularly involving women and children.
Ghanaian authorities have intensified efforts in recent years to combat online sexual abuse, including sexual extortion and image-based abuse. In 2022, a Ghanaian court sentenced a phone repairer to 14 years in prison for sharing intimate images of a woman without her consent.