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The Tinder Swindler Unmasked: Fraud, Fame, and the Global Fallout of Simon Leviev

Long before the world came to know the name Simon Leviev, the man behind the alias—Shimon Yehuda Hayut—was already developing the deceptive tactics that would later make him infamous. Born in Israel in 1990, Hayut showed early tendencies toward manipulation and financial misconduct. By his late teens and early twenties, he was suspected of engaging in check fraud, identity theft, and forgery. When Israeli authorities moved to prosecute him in 2011, he fled the country before his trial began, initiating a long-running pattern of escaping accountability by moving between countries and adopting new identities. This early phase of his life demonstrated a skill for reinvention and evasion that would define his career as a fraudster.

Flight to Europe and the Finland Fraud Convictions

After leaving Israel, Hayut resurfaced in Finland, where he continued to engage in sophisticated deception schemes. Finnish authorities eventually uncovered that he had defrauded multiple women by pretending to be wealthy, trustworthy, and romantically invested in them. The strategy was simple but devastatingly effective: he would charm the women, gain their confidence, and then manipulate them into giving him money under false pretenses. Once discovered, he was arrested and convicted, receiving a two-year prison sentence for defrauding three women. This incarceration did little to stop his criminal activities; instead, it gave him insight into the workings of European legal systems and reinforced his ability to exploit gaps in international cooperation. When released, he briefly returned to Israel in 2017 but fled almost immediately, determined to avoid facing the original charges awaiting him there.

Creating the Persona of “Simon Leviev”

It was during this period that Hayut undertook one of the most consequential transformations of his life. He legally changed his name to Simon Leviev, aligning himself with the influential Leviev diamond family, whose wealth and prestige were widely recognized. This act of identity reconstruction was deliberate and calculated. By adopting the Leviev surname, he instantly gained the credibility needed to support the extravagant lifestyle he displayed online. Social media accounts under the name Simon Leviev portrayed him as a globe-trotting billionaire heir surrounded by luxury: private jets, high-end hotels, designer clothing, and a security entourage. These images served as the foundation of the persona he presented to women on dating apps like Tinder, who believed they were meeting someone not only wealthy but also deeply connected to powerful global industries. Behind the scenes, however, the luxury he flaunted was financed by money stolen from previous victims.

The Tinder Scheme and the Mechanics of Romantic Fraud

From approximately 2017 to 2019, Simon Leviev orchestrated a romance fraud scheme that would later shock the world. He used Tinder to connect with women across Europe, presenting himself as the privileged son of diamond mogul Lev Leviev. His method involved overwhelming his targets with displays of wealth—lavish dinners, first-class travel, upscale hotels, and bodyguards that created an impression of danger and importance. Once he earned their trust and affection, he shifted the narrative, claiming he was under threat from mysterious enemies who targeted him because of his family's diamond empire. He told his victims that, for security reasons, he could not use his own financial accounts without risking his safety. This manipulation led the women to transfer money, open credit cards in their names, or take out large loans on his behalf. Victims such as Cecilie Fjellhøy, Pernilla Sjöholm, and Ayleen Charlotte described how they felt emotionally trapped, desperate to help someone they believed was their partner. Investigators later estimated that Leviev stole close to $10 million through this method, using money from one woman to fund the illusion of luxury he presented to the next.

The Netflix Exposé and Global Public Outrage

In February 2022, Netflix released The Tinder Swindler, a documentary that catapulted Simon Leviev into international infamy. The film detailed the experiences of the women he manipulated and exposed the intricate structure of his scams. It reconstructed the emotional and financial devastation he left behind and illuminated the psychological tactics he employed to maintain control over his victims. Within days, the documentary became a global sensation, prompting widespread condemnation and sparking conversations about the vulnerabilities inherent in online dating platforms. Leviev, however, responded with indignation. In interviews, he claimed that the documentary portrayed him unfairly and suggested that the women exaggerated their stories for publicity. Despite his denials, the film renewed intense scrutiny of his criminal past and ongoing activities.

Legal Troubles in Israel and a Brief Imprisonment

Even before the Netflix documentary gained traction, Leviev had already been entangled in legal battles in Israel. In 2019, he was arrested in Greece and extradited to Israel to face charges unrelated to the Tinder fraud allegations. These charges included theft, forgery, and using a forged passport. Following a guilty verdict, he received a 15-month prison sentence. However, in 2020, he was released after serving only five months due to COVID-19 pandemic policies aimed at reducing Israel’s prison population. His early release allowed him to reestablish a public presence and continue crafting his narrative as a misunderstood businessman rather than a career criminal.

A Sudden Pursuit of Fame and Media Influence

Following his release, Leviev expanded his ambitions. Reports emerged in early 2022 that he had secured a talent manager and was pursuing opportunities in entertainment. His plans included starting a podcast, hosting a dating show, and writing a book. He also joined Cameo, where he earned approximately $30,000 in just three days by recording personalized video messages. However, the most prominent step in his rebranding occurred in September 2025, when he announced his memoir, The Story Behind the Man. In a dramatic Instagram post, he claimed the world misunderstood him and that the documentary left out crucial details. He asserted that his book would reveal the truth of his life and dispel what he described as “lies” and “sensationalized headlines.” According to him, he never sought fame and had become a public figure against his will—but now wanted the opportunity to reclaim his story.

Victims Become Advocates and Seek Justice

While Leviev attempted to reshape his public image, several of his victims turned their trauma into activism. Cecilie Fjellhøy, one of the central figures in The Tinder Swindler, became a leading voice in the fight against romance fraud. In 2025, she partnered with private investigator Brianne Joseph to create Love Con Revenge, a Netflix series aimed at exposing romance scams and supporting victims of emotional and financial manipulation. Fjellhøy described the project as a way to transform her painful experience into something meaningful, helping others reclaim their power and understand the emotional dynamics of fraud. The series gained significant attention, and Leviev himself acknowledged it publicly, sharing a screen capture on Instagram that suggested he was watching it from a private jet. Despite his attempt to diminish its significance, Love Con Revenge further cemented the narrative of Leviev as a manipulator whose impact extended far beyond financial damage.

Lawsuits and Increased Corporate Accountability

In the wake of the Netflix documentary, the Leviev diamond family filed a lawsuit in 2022 accusing Simon Leviev of impersonation and unjust enrichment. The legal action alleged that he used their name to gain financial advantages and deceive victims into believing he was part of their family empire. The lawsuit claimed that he “cunningly used false words” to convince women that he had access to unlimited resources and that his family would cover the costs of his extravagant lifestyle. After several delays, the case advanced in 2024, when Leviev represented himself in court. His decision to serve as his own attorney was widely reported and added to the spectacle surrounding his public persona. The legal battle emphasized how deeply his false identity had infiltrated public perception, corporate branding, and family legacy.

International Arrests and Renewed Investigations

After the documentary’s release, law enforcement authorities across Europe revisited old complaints and launched new investigations into Leviev’s activities. In 2024, he was detained in Georgia under an Interpol Red Notice related to multiple German fraud cases. German prosecutors accused him of defrauding a woman in Berlin of approximately $38,000 and engaging in various identity-based schemes. However, after months of negotiations, Germany dropped two cases because of statute-of-limitations issues and accepted a one-year suspended sentence in another case from Munich. These developments led to the cancellation of his extradition order and his subsequent release.

Yet Leviev’s freedom was short-lived. On September 14, 2025, he was arrested again in Georgia after another German woman came forward, alleging that he had stolen 44,000 euros from her between 2017 and 2019. According to her testimony, he used her name to obtain credit cards, open phone accounts, and make luxury travel purchases that he had no intention of paying back. For many victims, the arrest was a moment of relief. Pernilla Sjöholm said she felt justified after years of financial strain and emotional exhaustion, describing her reaction as a “small celebration.”

Ongoing Defiance and the Pursuit of Creative Projects

Despite facing new allegations and arrests, Simon Leviev remained publicly defiant. He continued to insist that he had not used Tinder since 2018 and that all current profiles using his images were fraudulent. He dismissed the women in the documentary as opportunists who benefited financially from their involvement. In interviews, he claimed he was not afraid of imprisonment and that law enforcement agencies were “helping him.” At the same time, he teased several creative projects, including a personal documentary that he claimed would “shock the world” and collaborations with artists such as French Montana, Snoop Dogg, and 50 Cent. Whether these ventures were real or mere attempts to maintain publicity, they reinforced his determination to control the narrative surrounding his life.

A Lasting Legacy of Deception and Digital Vulnerability

The story of Simon Leviev is more than a tale of fraud; it is a reflection of how digital platforms can be exploited to manipulate trust and identity. His scams demonstrated the profound emotional and psychological impact that romance fraud can have on victims, many of whom continue to struggle with debt and trauma. At the same time, his actions exposed significant vulnerabilities in online dating platforms, international legal cooperation, and financial oversight. For victims like Fjellhøy, Sjöholm, and Charlotte, the ordeal has become a lifelong reminder of the dangers that can hide behind curated digital personas. Their advocacy has helped raise global awareness about romance scams and provided crucial support for others experiencing similar forms of exploitation.

Simon Leviev’s story is far from over. As law enforcement agencies continue to investigate his past, as victims push for legal reform, and as he attempts to reshape his public image, the world remains captivated by his audacity and resilience. His saga has profoundly influenced public understanding of digital trust and continues to challenge assumptions about identity, wealth, and the allure of online connection.