Authorities in Kenya and Ghana have launched coordinated investigations into a man believed to be of Russian origin after videos alleged to show him secretly recording intimate encounters with women in both countries went viral online.
The videos, which have circulated widely across social media platforms such as TikTok and Telegram, reportedly show the suspect approaching women in public places, engaging them in conversation, and later recording private interactions without their consent before posting the footage online.
In Ghana, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation confirmed that the government has taken steps to trace and secure digital and financial evidence linked to the publication of the footage. Officials have described the non-consensual recording and sharing of intimate videos as a serious violation of privacy and human dignity.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned Russia’s ambassador in Accra to express its “strong displeasure” over the conduct and to seek cooperation in pursuing justice. While the ambassador acknowledged the severity of the allegations, he said he could not confirm whether the suspect is a Russian national.
Meanwhile in Kenya, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has opened a formal inquiry, activating cybercrime and gender-based violence units to gather evidence, trace digital footprints, and identify anyone involved in the recording or dissemination of the videos.
Authorities have highlighted that such actions could constitute technology-facilitated gender-based violence and breach privacy protections under Kenyan law.
Kenya’s Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo condemned the conduct, describing it as “a grave violation of personal dignity and privacy” and directed investigative and prosecutorial agencies to work urgently, including with international partners, due to the cross-border nature of the case.
Although the suspect — identified in online posts as “Yaytseslav” — is believed to have left Ghana and may be outside the reach of local law enforcement, both governments have emphasised they will pursue all available legal and diplomatic channels, including possible extradition requests, to ensure accountability.
The incident has sparked widespread public debate about consent, privacy, and digital rights, with civil society groups and social media users calling for stronger protections against exploitation and abuse online.
