Men covertly filming women at night and profiting from footage, BBC finds

Undercover Probe: The Secretive Industry of 'Nightlife Walking Tours'

A BBC investigation has revealed a prolific global network where men illegally or covertly film women on nights out to profit from the footage online. These videos, often titled as "walking tours" or "nightlife highlights," are shared across YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, amassing billions of views.

The Scale of the Problem

The investigation tracked nearly 50 women who were filmed without their knowledge. Many expressed feelings of violation, fear, and humiliation.

• Reach: Over 65 online channels were identified, with a collective total of more than three billion views over the last three years.

• Locations: While major cities like London, Oslo, Miami, and Bangkok are featured, Manchester has emerged as one of the most popular filming locations.

• Revenue: Experts suggest this ecosystem could be generating millions of pounds. A single video with one million views can earn creators upwards of $100,000 (£80,000) through ad revenue and sponsorships.

The Operation: Hidden in Plain Sight

The BBC team went undercover in Manchester during the busy Halloween weekend to identify the operators.

• The Reka Brothers: Florjan Reka, a 35-year-old based in Sweden, runs one of the largest channels with 200 million views. He and his brother Roland were observed using waist-height cameras and black masks to blend into crowds while targeting women in skirts and dresses.

• Local Involvement: A 36-year-old local taxi driver, Dean Hill, was also caught filming with a small chest-mounted camera. He denied any wrongdoing, claiming his content is "non-selective."

• Tactics: The footage often uses low angles (upskirting) or lingers on intimate body parts. The comments sections below these videos are frequently filled with misogynistic abuse.

The Legal 'Grey Zone'

While filming in public is generally legal in the UK, legal experts argue this content falls into a "grey zone" that may breach specific legislation:

Greater Manchester Police made a landmark arrest in 2024 for stalking and harassment related to these videos. However, limitations in current law have made it difficult to secure convictions, leading authorities to explore civil legal routes instead.

Impact and Platform Response

Following the BBC's findings, several platforms took action, though many videos remain active:

• YouTube: Deactivated two accounts related to the Reka brothers. The platform stated it removed 1.8 million videos in late 2025 for breaching harassment policies.

• TikTok: Removed four channels identified in the probe.

• Meta (Facebook/Instagram): Removed specific content that breached policies, though many channels remain active.

"He still has the video of me on his device. What is to stop him from uploading it again?" — 'Grace', one of the women filmed in Manchester.

Government Stance

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has stated that the government will not allow new technologies—such as smart glasses or hidden cameras—to be used as tools for violence and abuse against women and girls. Legislation like the Armed Forces Bill and broader digital safety acts are being reviewed to better protect citizens from such predatory behaviour.