Epstein vs Diddy: Who Are the 20 Top Worst Sex Offenders in History?
By Abiodun John Balogun

Sexual abuse, especially when committed by powerful figures, leaves long-lasting scars not only on victims but on society’s trust in institutions. In the ongoing wake of allegations and lawsuits against entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, many are drawing uncomfortable comparisons to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. But how do these men compare within the broader context of history’s most notorious sex offenders?

This article explores a list of 20 of the most infamous convicted or widely accused sex offenders across the globe—judged not only by the gravity of their crimes but by the number of victims, abuse of power, and cultural impact.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This article contains content related to sexual abuse and exploitation.

1. Jeffrey Epstein

Country: USA
Victims: Estimated hundreds
Crimes: Child sex trafficking, statutory rape, and conspiracy.
Epstein ran an international sex trafficking ring involving underage girls and was closely linked to powerful elites. His mysterious death in jail raised global suspicion and cemented his name in infamy.

2. Jimmy Savile

Country: UK
Victims: Estimated over 500
Crimes: Sexual assault of children, women, and hospital patients
The British TV host was posthumously exposed as one of the UK’s worst predators, operating for decades under the protection of fame and philanthropy.

3. Larry Nassar

Country: USA
Victims: Over 300
Crimes: Sexual abuse under the guise of medical treatment
The USA Gymnastics doctor abused hundreds of young athletes, including Olympians, exposing deep systemic failure in sports institutions.

4. Peter Scully

Country: Australia/Philippines
Victims: Dozens (many children)
Crimes: Rape, torture, and production of child abuse videos
Scully created horrific pay-per-view torture content involving children. He’s widely considered one of the most evil sex predators in the digital age.

5. Richard Huckle

Country: UK
Victims: Up to 200
Crimes: Child rape and exploitation in Southeast Asia
Operating under the guise of Christian missionary work, Huckle preyed on impoverished children, documenting and distributing the abuse online.

6. Sean “Diddy” Combs (Alleged)

Country: USA
Victims: Undisclosed
Crimes: Accused of rape, sex trafficking, and abuse by multiple women (as of 2024)
Although he hasn’t been convicted, lawsuits and federal raids have drawn eerie parallels to Epstein. Diddy denies all allegations, but public and legal scrutiny continues to intensify.

7. Marc Dutroux

Country: Belgium
Victims: At least 6
Crimes: Kidnapping, rape, and murder of minors
His case triggered nationwide outrage and distrust in Belgium’s justice system, particularly due to police mishandling.

8. Harvey Weinstein

Country: USA
Victims: Dozens
Crimes: Rape, sexual assault, coercion
The former Hollywood mogul became the face of the #MeToo movement. Convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison.

9. R. Kelly

Country: USA
Victims: Numerous
Crimes: Sexual exploitation of minors, child pornography, and racketeering
For years, Kelly avoided accountability until 2021, when testimonies and documentary evidence led to multiple convictions.

10. Jerry Sandusky

Country: USA
Victims: At least 10 officially, possibly more
Crimes: Sexual abuse of boys over decades
The Penn State assistant football coach scandal shocked the sports world and exposed institutional cover-ups.

11. Josef Fritzl

Country: Austria
Victims: 1 (his daughter)
Crimes: Incest, rape, and imprisonment
Fritzl locked his daughter in a basement for 24 years, fathering seven children through repeated rape.

12. Robert Black

Country: UK
Victims: At least 4 confirmed
Crimes: Child abduction, rape, and murder
Black was a Scottish serial killer and paedophile who preyed on young girls in the 1980s.

13. John Wayne Gacy

Country: USA
Victims: 33
Crimes: Rape, torture, and murder of young men
Though more known as a serial killer, many of Gacy’s crimes were sexually motivated.

14. Paul Bernardo

Country: Canada
Victims: Multiple (including schoolgirls)
Crimes: Rape, torture, and murder
Along with his wife Karla Homolka, Bernardo committed a series of shocking crimes against women in the 1990s.

15. Roman Polanski (Fugitive)

Country: France/USA
Victims: Multiple
Crimes: Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor
Fled the U.S. after pleading guilty and has avoided extradition for decades while continuing to receive awards in Europe.

16. Gary Glitter

Country: UK
Victims: Several
Crimes: Child sex abuse, child pornography
The glam rock singer’s downfall included international charges and imprisonment for sex crimes against minors.

17. Bill Cosby

Country: USA
Victims: Over 60 accusers
Crimes: Drugging and sexual assault
Once “America’s Dad,” Cosby’s legacy was destroyed after numerous women accused him of similar patterns of abuse.

18. Wayne Cousins

Country: UK
Victims: 1 confirmed
Crimes: Rape and murder
The police officer’s murder of Sarah Everard in 2021 sparked global protests over women’s safety and police power.

19. Michael Jackson (Highly Controversial)

Country: USA
Victims: Disputed
Crimes: Allegations of child sexual abuse
Though never convicted and continuing to have fierce defenders, Jackson was accused by multiple boys of molestation, with civil settlements and renewed scrutiny following “Leaving Neverland.”

20. Ghislaine Maxwell

Country: UK/USA
Victims: Assisted Epstein in dozens of cases
Crimes: Child trafficking, grooming, and abuse
As Epstein’s partner in crime, Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Conclusion: Diddy vs. Epstein – A Fair Comparison?

At present, Jeffrey Epstein remains far more notorious in confirmed scale and global impact. However, Sean “Diddy” Combs, if any of the mounting allegations are proven true, could be remembered in the same breath—particularly for using power and wealth to allegedly coerce victims in secretive, high-profile settings.

Still, the court of public opinion is not the same as a court of law. Only time—and justice—will tell if Diddy is ultimately exonerated or convicted.

Note: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Allegations are mentioned based on publicly available court documents, media reports, and legal proceedings.