A disturbing pattern of non-consensual recording has emerged across Kenya and Ghana, where women are being secretly filmed by a Russian national using concealed camera technology. The operation came to light when numerous videos surfaced online showing a man approaching unsuspecting women in public spaces while recording their interactions without consent.
Joy Kalekye, a 19-year-old Kenyan student, discovered she had become one of these victims when a friend alerted her to a viral social media post on Valentine’s Day. The footage showed an encounter from March of the previous year that Kalekye had completely forgotten—a brief interaction on a Nairobi street where a man complimented her appearance while secretly recording the entire exchange.
The investigation reveals this forms part of a global trend where individuals use hidden cameras to film private interactions for online monetization. The perpetrator, identified by Ghanaian authorities as 36-year-old Vladislav Liulkov, allegedly operated by approaching women in shopping centers and public areas while wearing camera-equipped smart glasses that captured intimate moments without disclosure.
Despite Liulkov’s denial of involvement when contacted by BBC, evidence suggests a consistent pattern: geolocation data places recordings at major shopping centers in Nairobi and Mombasa, while Ghanaian encounters occurred near Accra Mall. Distinctive identifiers including a blue Casio watch and similar vocal patterns across videos strengthen the connection to a single individual.
The content distribution network involves Russian social media channels and websites that have since been removed, where the perpetrator reportedly sold ‘approach guides’ for 250 rubles while monetizing the viral videos. Local content creators like Kelvin Karume, a 22-year-old Nairobi resident, amplified the harm by reposting the videos to build their online following, triggering secondary victimization through abusive comments and public harassment.
Legal authorities in both countries have condemned the practice, with Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations warning that resharing the videos constitutes criminal offense, while Ghanaian officials seek Liulkov’s extradition under cybersecurity laws. Women’s rights advocates emphasize that the subsequent victim-blaming and moral scrutiny compound the original violation, creating barriers for victims coming forward.
Kalekye, who has faced direct harassment including HIV-related slurs, continues to speak out against the culture of online judgment that exacerbates the trauma of non-consensual recording. Her courage highlights the urgent need for stronger protections against digital exploitation and societal shift away from victim-blaming narratives.