Netflix’s “Star” of ‘Tinder Swindler’ Simon Leviev Has Been Arrested
Simon Leviev, the con artist made famous by Netflix’s 2022 documentary The Tinder Swindler, has been arrested in Georgia.
According to the BBC, Leviev, an Israeli citizen, was taken into custody at Batumi airport at the request of Interpol on September 15.
The authorities have not yet shared the specific reason for his latest arrest. His lawyer told Israel’s Ynet, “I spoke with him this morning after he was detained, but we don’t yet understand the reason,” and added that Leviev had been “traveling freely around the world.”
Leviev, whose real name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut, gained international notoriety for posing as a wealthy diamond heir on Tinder and tricking women into lending him large sums of money.
The Netflix documentary explored how he manipulated at least a dozen women across the globe, creating an illusion of danger and urgency to convince them to hand over cash that he never repaid. Following the release of the documentary, Leviev was banned from dating apps, but his criminal past runs far deeper.
He has faced multiple legal issues over the years, fleeing Israel in 2011 while facing convictions for fraud, theft, and forgery.
Between 2015 and 2017, he served time in a Finnish prison for fraud before returning to Israel. Leviev fled again, only to be captured by Interpol in Greece in 2019. He was convicted of four counts of fraud and sentenced to 15 months in prison but served just five months due to COVID-19 related early releases.
Leviev was also accused of emotional and physical abuse by former girlfriend Kate Konlin. In 2023, she told the BBC that he had pushed her during an argument, causing her to injure her foot on a step. She filed a police complaint, which Leviev has denied.
The Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler brought global attention to Leviev’s schemes. It followed the real-life stories of women who were defrauded by him, highlighting his manipulative tactics and the emotional toll of his actions.
The film not only focused on the financial scams but also showed the psychological manipulation Leviev used to maintain control over his victims. Viewers were left shocked by the scale of his fraud and the ease with which he deceived people using charm and deceit.
Leviev’s arrest in Georgia raises new questions about what legal actions might follow. With his history of international flight and repeated fraud, authorities may face challenges in prosecuting him effectively. The documentary remains a cautionary tale, reminding viewers of the dangers of online romance scams and the importance of vigilance.
Leviev’s story shows just how clever and ruthless some con artists can be. It’s fascinating, but also disturbing, to see how someone can manipulate so many lives for personal gain. The Netflix documentary did a great job of exposing the full story and giving voice to the victims. What do you think about the case and Leviev’s arrest? Share your thoughts in the comments.
