Simon Leviev, born Shimon Yehuda Hayut on September 27, 1990, is an Israeli national who gained global notoriety for orchestrating some of the most high-profile romance and financial scams of the 21st century, infamously dramatised in Netflix’s “The Tinder Swindler”.
Early Life and Background
Simon Leviev was born in Ramat Elchanan, Bnei Brak, a predominantly ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood outside Tel Aviv, Israel. His birth name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut. His father, Rabbi Yohanan Hayut, served as the chief rabbi of El Al Airlines. Leviev moved to Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 15 with friends of his family, but by his late teens, he was already embroiled in petty cons and check fraud.
The real Leviev family, to whom he falsely claimed a connection, is an Israeli diamond magnate with no biological or legal relation to Simon.
Family
- Parents: Rabbi Yohanan Hayut (father), occupation: chief rabbi at El Al Airlines.
- Mother: Has had no contact with Simon since he was 18 and distanced herself after he changed his name and path.
- Family Relationship: Strained; Leviev’s parents publicly disavowed him. His use of the Leviev surname was solely for fraudulent purposes, and the actual Leviev family has requested that he cease using it.
- Children / Spouses: No public record of children or official marriage, though he has had several romantic partners, including model Kate Konlin (relationship ended in 2023 amid allegations of abuse).
The Rise of Simon Leviev: Timeline of Cons and Achievements
- 2011: Charged with theft, forgery, and fraud in Israel after stealing and cashing fraudulent checks while working as a babysitter and handyman.
- 2011-2012: Fled the country using a fake passport, travelled around Europe, and assumed various aliases.
- 2015: Arrested in Finland, sentenced to two years for defrauding women. Presented false documents and multiple forged passports/IDs.
- 2017: Released early from Finnish prison, returned to Israel but quickly fled again, this time as “Simon Leviev.”
- 2017-2019: Masterminded a Ponzi scheme using dating apps (primarily Tinder), falsely claiming to be the son of billionaire diamond mogul Lev Leviev. Romanced, manipulated, and defrauded dozens of women across Europe, netting around $10 million.
Modus Operandi: Lavishly courted victims with private jets, luxury hotels, and expensive dinners. Once trust was gained, he claimed to be in danger from “enemies,” then convinced victims to take out loans, credit cards, and wire him money under urgent pretences. Money from new victims funded his lifestyle and lured additional targets.
Criminal Records and Legal Consequences
- Finland: Sentenced to three years (served about two) for defrauding multiple women using dating scams.
- Israel: Convicted of theft, fraud, and forgery in December 2019; sentenced to 15 months in prison but released after serving just five months.
- Other jurisdictions: Numerous reports of fraud across Europe; pending/warrants in several countries, but Leviev avoided extradition due to the use of false identities and legal loopholes.
Despite many criminal convictions, Leviev has never been convicted for the specific frauds highlighted in “The Tinder Swindler,” largely owing to legal technicalities and cross-border jurisdictional issues.
Public Exposure and Netflix Documentary
Leviev’s criminal activities reached global attention with a 2019 exposé by Norwegian tabloid Verdens Gang (VG), which, with Israeli journalist Uri Blau, published “The Tinder Swindler.” This was further catapulted by the 2022 Netflix documentary of the same name, viewed by over 64 million hours worldwide.
The film depicted first-hand accounts from victims such as Cecilie Fjellhøy, Pernilla Sjöholm, and Ayleen Charlotte, showing how Leviev orchestrated his fraud, the impact on victims, and the international hunt for his capture. Victims formed support communities, appeared in media campaigns, and led initiatives to raise awareness about romance scams.
Life After Prison and Recent Activities
Since his 2020 release, Simon Leviev has stayed in the media spotlight, often seeking to profit from his notoriety.
- Attempts at Clearing His Name: Ran PR campaigns, took out Israeli billboards, and claimed the Netflix documentary was misleading. Has threatened legal action against Netflix and denied all allegations.
- Business Ventures: Claims to be a business consultant, with purported interests in real estate, “business consulting,” and, most recently, launched his own cryptocurrency, TIND, in 2025.
- Living Situation: Thought to reside between Tel Aviv and Dubai. Regularly flaunts his luxury lifestyle on social media (private jets, high-end fashion, exotic locations).
- Book: Announced in September 2025 that he has written a book, “The Story Behind the Man,” to provide his perspective on his life and scandals.
Net Worth and Assets
There is no official documentation of Leviev’s net worth, though he has illegally procured tens of millions through scams. Estimates from press coverage mention $10 million scammed from romantic partners alone between 2017 and 2019.
Luxury assets such as designer goods, private jet charters, and expensive apartments have been shown on his social media, but much of this lifestyle was ultimately funded by fraud. There are ongoing claims that he continues to seek profit using his newfound infamy, through speaking engagements, media consultations, and self-promotion.
Major Controversies and Notable Incidents
- Impersonating Diamond Royalty: Pretended to be Lev Leviev’s son to lend credibility to scams. The Leviev family has publicly disavowed him and taken legal measures to stop the abuse of their name.
- Victim Statements: Victims remain in debt from fraudulent loans and have struggled for justice. New potential victims have come forward following exposure from the Netflix documentary.
- Docked on Tinder & Other Apps: Permanently banned from Tinder and numerous other dating apps following a Netflix documentary.
- COVID Controversy: In 2020, accused of jumping the vaccine queue by claiming to be a medical professional.
- Personal Relationships: His relationship with Israeli model Kate Konlin ended with allegations of abuse (denied by Leviev).
Simon Leviev in Recent News (2024–2025)
- Podcast and Book Deals: The author has recently announced the completion of his memoir, “The Story Behind the Man,” and is reportedly negotiating media deals (TV or podcast) to further tell his story.
- Launch of TIND Crypto: In 2025, the company ventured into cryptocurrency, launching a project called TIND.
- Living in Dubai: After losing access to dating apps and notoriety in Israel, believed to be living in Dubai, maintaining a lavish lifestyle and reportedly consulting for “high-net-worth” clients.
- Impact on Victims: Victims, such as Cecilie Fjellhøy- have led new Netflix docuseries and private investigation projects into romance scams, keeping the issue and Leviev himself in the media eye.
FAQs About Simon Leviev
Who is Simon Leviev really?
Simon Leviev is the alias of Shimon Yehuda Hayut, an Israeli con artist best known for romance-related financial crimes dramatised in the Netflix documentary, “The Tinder Swindler”.
Is Simon Leviev actually part of the Leviev diamond family?
No. He is not related by blood or business to the Leviev family; the name was used fraudulently to convince victims of his fictional wealth and status.
What were the main crimes committed by Simon Leviev?
Primarily romance scams/fraud via Tinder, check forgery, theft, and the use of false identities. His schemes netted roughly $10 million from victims between 2017 and 2019.
What is Simon Leviev doing now (2025)?
After prison, he has been marketing himself as an author and business consultant, and has launched a cryptocurrency (TIND). He is believed to live between Tel Aviv and Dubai, though he frequently changes locations.
Has Simon Leviev faced further legal action since his release?
He faces ongoing investigations and lawsuits, but remains out of major custody due to legal loopholes and international limitations on the enforcement of some charges.
How can you avoid romance scams like those perpetrated by Leviev?
Always verify identities, avoid sending money to people met online, watch for elaborate stories of danger or need, and use official channels to report suspicious activity immediately.
Has Simon Leviev shown remorse or admitted guilt?
He has denied all allegations, claims the Netflix feature was one-sided, and still maintains he’s been misunderstood or set up, showing no public remorse.
