Authorities in Kenya and Ghana are investigating reports that a Russian man covertly filmed sexual encounters with women in both countries and shared the footage online without their consent.
African and Russian media have identified the suspect as a self-styled “pick-up artist” and online blogger in his 30s. Reports allege he used a pair of sunglasses fitted with a hidden camera to record some of the encounters, later circulating the videos on social media. Officials have not yet confirmed this specific detail.
Ghana has announced its intention to request the man’s extradition from Russia, while Kenya’s government says it is pursuing the case “with urgency.”
Ghana Pushes for Accountability
According to news reports, the suspect traveled to Ghana specifically to secretly film his interactions with women. An initial investigation by Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has established that the man has likely left the country. However, the ministry stressed that his departure would “not reduce the seriousness of the alleged conduct or the state’s responsibility to pursue accountability.”
Ghanaian Technology Minister Sam George has taken a hard line, inviting the Russian ambassador in Accra for talks and requesting Moscow’s cooperation in securing justice for the victims. Speaking to reporters, George vowed to pursue the suspect relentlessly.
“That gentleman will be looked for, we will activate every resource in our disposal working with Interpol,” he said. “We want the gentleman to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana for him to face the rigours of our law.” He added that authorities would consider trying the suspect in absentia if he fails to return.
However, Russia has a longstanding policy of not extraditing its citizens, except in extreme circumstances. On Monday, the Russian embassy in Ghana said it had “taken note” of the reports but did not indicate whether it would cooperate with the investigation.
Kenya Launches Parallel Probe
The same man faces similar allegations in Kenya, where authorities have condemned the acts as a serious form of gender-based violence. Hanna Cheptumo, Kenya’s minister of gender, culture and children services, described the case as “serious” and confirmed that security and prosecutorial agencies have been directed to “pursue the matter with urgency, including collaboration with international authorities given the cross-border nature of the case.”
If convicted in Kenya under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018, the suspect could face up to two years in prison for publishing intimate images without consent.
Harsh Penalties Under Ghanaian Law
Ghana has taken an increasingly tough stance on online abuse. Under the Cybersecurity Act of 2020, perpetrators convicted of sharing nude photos or videos—especially of women and children, often for revenge or blackmail—face up to 25 years in prison.
Authorities have ramped up efforts to combat online abuse, including sexual extortion and romance scams, resulting in a rise in arrests in recent years. In a landmark 2022 case, a 22-year-old phone repairer, Solomon Doga, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for sharing nude images of a Lebanese woman after pleading guilty to sexual extortion and non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
The latest case highlights the growing cross-border challenges posed by digital crimes and the determination of both Kenyan and Ghanaian authorities to pursue justice, regardless of where the suspect may flee.
