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The Tinder Swindler (2022) movie poster

Timeline

The Tinder Swindler (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 114 min · English
Echo score 80
JustWatch #32,006
Directed by
Felicity Morris

This shocking true crime documentary exposes a cunning con artist who posed as a wealthy diamond executive on Tinder. He masterfully manipulated and defrauded several women, leading them to believe he needed urgent financial assistance. As the victims discover the truth and unite to seek justice, the film reveals the alarming scale of his deception and the profound impact of online catfishing.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Tinder Swindler
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Tinder Swindler (2022)

Where can you watch The Tinder Swindler? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

The Tinder Swindler Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Tinder Swindler (2022) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Shimon Hayut's Deceptive Journey Begins

    An Israeli man named Shimon Hayut embarks on a deceptive journey across Europe, adopting the persona of Simon Leviev, the wealthy heir of diamond tycoon Lev Leviev. Using this alias, he targets women through the dating app Tinder, skillfully manipulating them into lending him money.

  2. Cecille Fjellhoy Meets Simon

    Cecille Fjellhoy, a romantic from Norway, encounters Simon on Tinder and feels an immediate attraction. Their first date at the Four Seasons Hotel captivates Cecille, igniting her hopes for a fairytale romance.

    Where
    Four Seasons Hotel
  3. Private Jet Trip to Bulgaria

    Simon charms Cecille with a trip to Bulgaria on his private jet, accompanied by his ex-partner and their child. During this trip, Cecille is led to believe Simon is a devoted father, deepening her emotional connection to him.

    Where
    Bulgaria
  4. Growing Romance

    After returning to London from Bulgaria, Simon and Cecille continue to deepen their relationship through constant communication. Despite Simon's warnings about dangers in the diamond business, their bond strengthens as he showers her with gifts.

    Where
    London
  5. Pernilla Sjoholm's Encounter

    In Sweden, Pernilla Sjoholm also falls for Simon's charm after connecting through Tinder. Despite an unsettling advance during their lunch, she feels a drawn connection to him and is captivated by his luxurious lifestyle.

    Where
    Sweden
  6. Manipulative Tactics Unveiled

    Simon employs manipulative tactics, including fabricated stories about threats to his safety to extort money from his victims. His emotional manipulation leads Cecille to take out a credit card for him, which he empties shortly after.

  7. Cecille's Financial Bind

    Cecille is compelled to bring Simon $25,000 to Amsterdam due to a contrived emergency. Her financial situation worsens as she borrows more money in a desperate attempt to help him, leading to overwhelming debt.

    Where
    Amsterdam
  8. Cecille Goes Public

    Facing crippling debt due to Simon's deceit, Cecille reaches out to the Norwegian newspaper VG to expose his fraudulent activities. Her story garners attention, leading to a broader investigation into Simon's actions.

    Where
    Norway
  9. VG's Investigation

    The investigation by VG uncovers Simon's true identity as Shimon Hayut and connects him to several victims, including three Finnish women. As the journalistic efforts heat up, they reveal the extent of his deception across different countries.

  10. Pernilla Confronts the Truth

    After learning about Simon's fraudulent schemes through the media, Pernilla confronts him with undeniable proof of his deceit. This critical moment leads her to finally see through the facade he constructed.

  11. Simon’s Desperation

    As the stories about his scams circulate, Simon becomes desperate to reclaim his possessions and cover his tracks. His aggressive behavior escalates, revealing the crumbling nature of his extravagant lifestyle.

  12. Arrest in Greece

    Simon is arrested upon his arrival in Greece while using a new alias. Despite being charged for his crimes in Israel, he manages to evade serious consequences for the financial devastation he inflicted on multiple women.

    Where
    Greece
  13. Victims' Ongoing Struggles

    Now residing as a free man in Israel, Simon leaves Cecille, Pernilla, and Ayleen grappling with the financial aftermath of his deceitful practices. Collectively, the women suffer losses estimated around $10 million, dealing with the long-term effects of his manipulations.

    Where
    Israel

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:33

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Timeline questions answered

The Tinder Swindler Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Tinder Swindler (2022): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

How did Simon Leviev trick women on Tinder?

Simon Leviev used the dating app Tinder to pose as a wealthy diamond executive, creating an elaborate fake persona with a high-end Instagram account showing private jets, luxury cars, and lavish parties. He targeted women seeking romance by presenting himself as a charming, successful businessman who showered them with gifts and attention, gradually convincing them to lend him money for fabricated emergencies.

  • tinder
  • online dating scam
  • catfishing
  • dating app fraud
  • simon leviev
Q2

Why did women give money to Simon Leviev?

Simon Leviev manipulated victims by creating emotional connections through constant communication, lavish gifts, and claimed business trips. He would then fabricate stories about dangerous enemies in the diamond business, sending distressing images to evoke sympathy and urgency, convincing women that their money was needed to save his life.

  • emotional manipulation
  • romance scam
  • financial abuse
  • victim psychology
Q3

What was Simon Leviev's real identity?

Simon Leviev's real name was Shimon Hayut, an Israeli man who posed as the heir of diamond tycoon Lev Leviev. He had no actual connection to the Leviev family or any legitimate diamond business, using the alias to establish credibility for his scams.

  • shimon hayut
  • real name
  • identity theft
  • con artist
Q4

How did the victims discover the truth about Simon Leviev?

Cecille Fjellhoy, after accumulating $250,000 in debt, contacted Norwegian newspaper VG to expose Simon. VG's investigation connected three Finnish women who were also victims, eventually revealing his true identity as Shimon Hayut. The resulting viral article prompted other victims to come forward.

  • exposed
  • investigation
  • truth revealed
  • VG newspaper
Q5

How much money did the victims lose to Simon Leviev?

The victims collectively lost approximately $10 million to Simon Leviev's schemes. This included funds borrowed from banks, credit cards, and personal loans that victims took out believing they were helping someone they loved.

  • financial loss
  • debt
  • fraud amount
  • $10 million
Q6

What happened to Simon Leviev after the documentary?

Simon Leviev was arrested in Greece under a new alias but managed to evade serious consequences for the fraud against his victims. While sentenced for his crimes in Israel, he ultimately returned to Israel as a free man, leaving the victims still dealing with the financial aftermath.

  • arrest
  • greece
  • israel
  • prison sentence
  • consequences
Q7

How did the 'danger' story work in Simon Leviev's scam?

Simon Leviev fabricated elaborate stories about dangerous enemies in the diamond business who were supposedly targeting him. He would send distressing images and messages claiming his life was in immediate danger, creating a sense of urgency that compelled victims to send money urgently for his supposed escape and safety.

  • manipulation tactic
  • emergency
  • threats
  • extortion
Q8

Who was behind the investigation exposing Simon Leviev?

The investigation was led by the Norwegian newspaper VG, specifically through Cecille Fjellhoy reaching out to them after falling into debt. VG journalists collaborated with Finnish women who were also victims and worked with an Israeli journalist to track down Simon, eventually exposing his true identity.

  • journalism
  • investigation
  • vg
  • norwegian press
  • media
Q9

Why wasn't Simon Leviev punished more severely for his crimes?

Despite being arrested in Greece and sentenced in Israel, Simon Leviev evaded serious repercussions for the financial devastation he caused. He was able to return to Israel as a free man, partly because different countries had jurisdiction challenges and because some of the fraud occurred across international borders.

  • justice
  • legal consequences
  • extradition
  • accountability
Q10

How did Ayleen help bring down Simon Leviev?

Ayleen, Simon's later partner, discovered the truth about his scams through the media coverage. With help from Aleks, a fashion industry contact, she worked to recover her investments by selling Simon's extravagant wardrobe. Her cooperation with investigators and refusal to continue being deceived contributed to his downfall.

  • ayleen
  • aleks
  • fashion industry
  • confrontation
  • revenge

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Tinder Swindler, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Tinder Swindler tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Fast-paced true crime thrillers like The Tinder Swindler

Documentaries that expose sophisticated cons with the pacing and tension of a thriller. If you were gripped by the relentless pace and shocking revelations of The Tinder Swindler, these movies offer similar experiences. They include documentaries and dramas that expose real-world scams and deceptions, unfolding with the tension and urgency of a cinematic thriller.

  • gripping
  • shocking
  • infuriating
  • anxious
  • investigative
  • cautionary
  • Tone: tense, shocking, infuriating
  • Pacing: fast, propulsive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a linear, investigative structure, starting with the con artist's charming facade and moving through the escalation of their schemes. The narrative is propelled by the victims' discovery of the truth and their subsequent quest for justice, often leading to a bittersweet or unresolved conclusion that highlights systemic flaws.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific blend of true crime subject matter and thriller-like execution. They are united by a fast pace, high intensity, and a tense tone that keeps viewers on edge, coupled with a heavy emotional weight derived from the real-world impact on victims.

Con artist manipulation stories like The Tinder Swindler

Chilling tales of master manipulators who exploit trust for personal gain. For viewers fascinated by the psychological mechanics of the scam in The Tinder Swindler, this collection features movies about master manipulators. These films explore the dark art of deception, whether in romance, business, or life, focusing on the emotional damage inflicted on their targets.

  • disturbing
  • chilling
  • manipulative
  • tense
  • cynical
  • psychological
  • Tone: tense, dark, disturbing
  • Pacing: steady, character-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows the con artist's seduction of their target, the building of a false reality, the eventual execution of the scam, and the aftermath of betrayal. The journey is heavily character-driven, focusing on the psychological dynamic between the manipulator and the manipulated, often ending with a sense of profound loss and violated trust.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their deep dive into the theme of psychological manipulation. They share a heavy emotional weight, disturbing themes, and a tense or bleak tone. The focus is less on the procedural unraveling of the crime and more on the intimate, corrosive impact of the deception itself.

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Every angle

The Tinder Swindler (2022) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Tinder Swindler in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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