Simon Levive, infamously known as the “Tinder Swindler,” has once again become the center of attention following his arrest in Georgia. This development coincides with the release of a new documentary on Netflix, exploring the experiences of one of his victims, Cecilia Felhoy. Levive, a 34-year-old Israeli born as Shimon Hayut, gained notoriety for his elaborate scams on the dating app Tinder, where he allegedly defrauded women out of approximately $10 million by posing as a wealthy diamond heir.
Levive’s deceitful tactics were laid bare in the 2022 Netflix documentary that detailed how he lured women with lavish dates, including private jet trips, before claiming he was in danger and needed financial assistance. These relationships often turned into a cycle of manipulation where he would use funds from one victim to pay another, resembling a Ponzi scheme. The documentary was a massive success, becoming Netflix’s most-watched documentary in 90 countries.
Despite his criminal past being highlighted, Levive reportedly remained active on Tinder for some time after the documentary’s release. Tinder has since confirmed that he is no longer using the platform under any of his known aliases. He has defended his actions, insisting he is a legitimate businessman with interests in cryptocurrency, and has claimed he did not intend to harm anyone.
Levive’s latest arrest occurred at Batumi International Airport in Georgia, reportedly due to an Interpol red notice issued against him. While details of the charges remain unclear, international law expert David Tafuri highlighted that the issuance of a red notice typically indicates serious allegations, possibly akin to felony charges. Levive’s arrest adds to his troubled history, which includes a prior conviction for fraud in Israel, where he served only five months of a 15-month sentence.
Reports indicate he is wanted by German authorities for various financial crimes, including money laundering and crypto fraud. This history of deception has prompted ongoing legal battles, including a lawsuit filed by the real Levive family, claiming he misused their name, thereby tarnishing their reputation.
The new documentary, “Love Con Revenge,” features Felhoy, who has become an advocate against online romance fraud. She argues for a societal shift in how such crimes are treated, emphasizing the need for harsher penalties for offenders. As Felhoy teams up with a private investigator to help others avoid similar scams, her story aims to bring awareness to the emotional and financial devastation caused by such fraud.
Levive’s notoriety continues to grow, with a significant social media following and announcements of a forthcoming book titled “The Story Behind the Man,” in which he plans to share his side of the story. This move has drawn criticism, with many viewing it as an attempt to reshape his narrative and maintain his public persona.
As Levive faces legal uncertainty, the global community watches closely, anticipating details regarding the charges linked to his recent arrest. The ongoing developments in this high-profile case may serve as a crucial moment in addressing the broader issues of fraud and victim protection in the age of digital romance.
