NEWS
Russian Blogger Accused of Secretly Filming Intimate Encounters in Ghana as Authorities Seek Extradition; Technology Minister Sam George Vows to “Activate Every Resource” Including Interpol
A Russian blogger, Yaytseslav Trahov, accused of secretly filming himself performing sex acts with women in Ghana has been pictured, as authorities in the West African nation intensify efforts to bring him to justice. Officials have confirmed their intention to seek the extradition of Yaytseslav Trahov amid allegations that he recorded and circulated several intimate encounters online without the full consent of the women involved.
Media outlets in both Ghana and Russia described Trahov as a “pick-up artist” in his thirties who travelled to the country to film his interactions.
According to reports, he allegedly used a pair of sunglasses fitted with a hidden camera to secretly record his meetings.
Investigations indicate that he would share short clips across social media platforms, especially TikTok, showing his first interactions with women he approached on the street. These clips reportedly depicted casual introductions before the encounters later turned private.
One woman, who said she worked as an estate agent, recounted how Trahov allegedly approached her at a shopping centre shortly after arriving in the country. He told her he was searching for a new apartment and, after exchanging contact details, the pair arranged to meet at his apartment to discuss rental options. What she expected to be a routine business meeting quickly became something else.
“Upon arrival, the conversation shifted away from anything professional, so I chose to leave immediately. Nothing inappropriate happened between us at any point,” she said.
While this particular woman said she left before anything occurred, multiple other women have admitted to having consensual sex with the Russian native but say they were left shocked and distressed after later discovering themselves in intimate videos circulating online.
They allege that Trahov filmed them through his sunglasses before making the recordings available on a paid Telegram channel, according to local media reports. Around 40 women have reportedly filed formal complaints concerning the same individual, prompting a widening investigation.
Authorities suspect that videos involving dozens of women may have been circulated, with some content allegedly finding its way onto platforms such as X, heightening public concern and outrage.
Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Sam George, confirmed that he had summoned the Russian ambassador to address the allegations. The meeting, scheduled to take place in the capital, Accra, is expected to focus on securing cooperation from Moscow in tracking down the suspect.
A Ghanaian official disclosed that preliminary investigations suggested the suspect may have already left the country. However, the official emphasized that this development does not lessen the gravity of the allegations.
He stressed that this did “not reduce the seriousness of the alleged conduct or the state’s responsibility to pursue accountability.”
George made clear that authorities intend to aggressively pursue the case.
“The gentleman will be looked for, we will activate every resource at our disposal working with Interpol.
“We will request the Russian authorities and that is why I have invited the Russian ambassador to work with law enforcement.
“We want the gentleman to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana for him to face the rigours of our law,” she said.
Although Russia does not typically extradite its citizens, Ghanaian officials have indicated they are prepared to exhaust all diplomatic and legal channels.
George added that if Trahov refuses to return voluntarily, prosecutors would consider trying him in absentia.
Further reports suggest the same individual may have been linked to similar alleged offences in Kenya, raising fears that the matter could extend across multiple jurisdictions.
Under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act 2020, publishing explicit images of adults or children without full consent carries a sentence of up to 25 years in prison. Legal experts say the law provides a strong framework for prosecuting cases of non-consensual sharing of intimate material.
The unfolding case comes amid a broader crackdown on digital sexual exploitation in the country. In 2022, a Ghanaian court sentenced a 22-year-old man to 14 years imprisonment for sharing nude images of a Lebanese woman. He pleaded guilty to sexual extortion and non-consensual dissemination of intimate material, a development officials cite as proof that the judiciary is prepared to impose severe penalties.
As investigations continue and diplomatic engagements unfold, authorities maintain that the message remains unequivocal: individuals who exploit others online will face the full force of Ghanaian law, regardless of nationality or international boundaries.