Spy Glasses, a Russian “Pick-Up Artist,” and a Diplomatic Showdown: The Scandal Rocking Ghana
📍 Accra • by Znews • May 31, 2026
A Russian blogger’s alleged use of high-tech spy glasses to record women without consent has ignited a firestorm in Ghana—triggering government outrage, an extradition battle, and a fierce national debate on privacy and respect.
ACCRA – A scandal involving a Russian national, secret recordings made with high-tech spy glasses, and accusations of non-consensual intimate content has ignited a firestorm of debate across Ghana.
What began as social media outrage has quickly escalated into a formal diplomatic incident. Now, the Ghanaian government is demanding extradition, while citizens are locked in a fierce debate over privacy, hypocrisy, and respect.
Who Is "Yaytseslav"?
At the center of the storm is Vyacheslav Trahov, known online as "Yaytseslav." Described as a self-styled "pick-up artist" and blogger in his thirties, he is accused of approaching women in public spaces—most notably around the Accra Mall—before inviting them back to his apartment.
The Spyware Scandal
Authorities allege that during these encounters, Yaytseslav used a pair of Meta smart glasses equipped with a hidden camera to record intimate moments without the women’s knowledge or consent.
The footage was then shared online across platforms like Telegram, TikTok, and YouTube. Even more disturbing? Some of the explicit content was allegedly placed behind paywalls for financial gain.
But Wait – Two Women Speak Out
The narrative took a sharp turn when two of the women featured in the videos—identified as Dorah and Serena—came forward with a very different story.
Dorah says she gave him her number only to get him to stop following her and a friend around the mall. She thought she was leaving the country anyway.
Serena, a real estate agent, says their encounter was strictly professional. She met him about an apartment viewing and claims she rejected his advances at his apartment.
"I never had sex with him. I can swear on my life," Serena said, adding that the viral video cut out key portions of their initial business discussion.
While the accounts differ on consent for sex, the non-consensual recording and distribution of the videos is what Ghanaian law—and the public—is focusing on.
Government Fury: Extradition Demanded
Ghana’s Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has taken a hardline stance. He summoned the Russian ambassador and formally requested the extradition of Yaytseslav to face trial in Ghana.
"We want the gentleman to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana for him to face the rigours of our law," Sam George stated.
There’s one big problem: Russia’s constitution generally prohibits the extradition of its own citizens. Still, Ghana’s government says it will use every resource, including Interpol, and hasn’t ruled out trying the suspect in absentia.
Under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act of 2020, publishing intimate images without consent carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison.
The Russian Embassy has acknowledged the reports and public outrage but says a formal extradition request has not yet been presented.
A Nation Divided: Victim-Blaming vs. Solidarity
Beyond the legal maneuvering, this saga has triggered a profound cultural debate.
The backlash: Popular prophet Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom (Prophet Opambour) criticized the women during a televised sermon, saying: "They can’t embarrass Ghana… They have embarrassed themselves."
The counter-punch: Dancehall musician Shatta Wale fired back on social media:
"Nobody should say Ghanaian women are cheap. It’s disrespectful… Recording someone without their consent is illegal – that’s what we need to be focusing on, not our beautiful Ghana girls."
Hiplife legend Reggie Rockstone and gender rights advocates have echoed this view, warning against victim-blaming and stressing that the core issue is consent, exploitation, and cybercrime.
The Crisis Crosses Borders
This isn’t just Ghana’s problem. Authorities in Kenya have also launched investigations, as reports suggest the same individual engaged in similar activities there. Kenya’s Minister of Gender described the incident as a “serious” case of gender-based violence.
The Bigger Picture
As Ghana prepares its legal docket and waits on Russia, this case stands as a stark reminder of the dark side of ubiquitous technology. Hidden devices can now violate privacy with terrifying ease—and when crimes cross international borders, justice becomes a complex game of diplomatic
ACCRA – A scandal involving a Russian national, secret recordings made with high-tech spy glasses, and accusations of non-consensual intimate content has ignited a firestorm of debate across Ghana.
What began as social media outrage has quickly escalated into a formal diplomatic incident. Now, the Ghanaian government is demanding extradition, while citizens are locked in a fierce debate over privacy, hypocrisy, and respect.
Who Is "Yaytseslav"?
At the center of the storm is Vyacheslav Trahov, known online as "Yaytseslav." Described as a self-styled "pick-up artist" and blogger in his thirties, he is accused of approaching women in public spaces—most notably around the Accra Mall—before inviting them back to his apartment.
The Spyware Scandal
Authorities allege that during these encounters, Yaytseslav used a pair of Meta smart glasses equipped with a hidden camera to record intimate moments without the women’s knowledge or consent.
The footage was then shared online across platforms like Telegram, TikTok, and YouTube. Even more disturbing? Some of the explicit content was allegedly placed behind paywalls for financial gain.
But Wait – Two Women Speak Out
The narrative took a sharp turn when two of the women featured in the videos—identified as Dorah and Serena—came forward with a very different story.
Dorah says she gave him her number only to get him to stop following her and a friend around the mall. She thought she was leaving the country anyway.
Serena, a real estate agent, says their encounter was strictly professional. She met him about an apartment viewing and claims she rejected his advances at his apartment.
"I never had sex with him. I can swear on my life," Serena said, adding that the viral video cut out key portions of their initial business discussion.
While the accounts differ on consent for sex, the non-consensual recording and distribution of the videos is what Ghanaian law—and the public—is focusing on.
Government Fury: Extradition Demanded
Ghana’s Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has taken a hardline stance. He summoned the Russian ambassador and formally requested the extradition of Yaytseslav to face trial in Ghana.
"We want the gentleman to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana for him to face the rigours of our law," Sam George stated.
There’s one big problem: Russia’s constitution generally prohibits the extradition of its own citizens. Still, Ghana’s government says it will use every resource, including Interpol, and hasn’t ruled out trying the suspect in absentia.
Under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act of 2020, publishing intimate images without consent carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison.
The Russian Embassy has acknowledged the reports and public outrage but says a formal extradition request has not yet been presented.
A Nation Divided: Victim-Blaming vs. Solidarity
Beyond the legal maneuvering, this saga has triggered a profound cultural debate.
The backlash: Popular prophet Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom (Prophet Opambour) criticized the women during a televised sermon, saying: "They can’t embarrass Ghana… They have embarrassed themselves."
The counter-punch: Dancehall musician Shatta Wale fired back on social media:
"Nobody should say Ghanaian women are cheap. It’s disrespectful… Recording someone without their consent is illegal – that’s what we need to be focusing on, not our beautiful Ghana girls."
Hiplife legend Reggie Rockstone and gender rights advocates have echoed this view, warning against victim-blaming and stressing that the core issue is consent, exploitation, and cybercrime.
The Crisis Crosses Borders
This isn’t just Ghana’s problem. Authorities in Kenya have also launched investigations, as reports suggest the same individual engaged in similar activities there. Kenya’s Minister of Gender described the incident as a “serious” case of gender-based violence.
The Bigger Picture
As Ghana prepares its legal docket and waits on Russia, this case stands as a stark reminder of the dark side of ubiquitous technology. Hidden devices can now violate privacy with terrifying ease—and when crimes cross international borders, justice becomes a complex game of diplomatic
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