The Tinder Swindler

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.