85Kviews
Relationships
ADVERTIsem*nT
“The Tinder Swindler” is a new documentary on Netflix directed by Felicity Morris. The story that revealed the truth about one of the sketchiest con artists, Simon Leviev (real name Shimon Hayut), is now one of the most intriguing stories that everyone seems to be talking about. The story revolves around Simon, who pretended to be a multimillionaire to deceive many women into lending him huge amounts of money he never intended to give back. The documentary shows three women who decided to speak out about this and seek justice. The movie raised a lot of interest and having in mind that there are probably a lot of unanswered questions, here are some unknown facts about “The Tinder Swindler” that were left behind the scenes.
What do you think about the documentary? Which one of these facts do you find the most interesting?Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments down below!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Simon Leviev pretended to be a paramedic in order to receive an early dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In December of 2020, the man decided to pose as a medical worker so that he could receive a vaccine even though he didn’t meet the requirements to receive one. At that time, only those who were medical workers, those over the age of 60, and at-risk groups were vaccinated.
The Times of Israel , Cory Doctorow Report
Final score:
31points
POST
Cyd Charisse Cyd Charisse Community Member Follow
My husband's (now former) boss did the same thing. Went with some nurses she knew and claimed to be one herself. Disgusting.
Vote comment up
15points
Vote comment down
reply
#2
Simon Leviev has been a known fraudster and thief in Israel since 2011. Despite being charged for multiple crimes, he didn’t show up at the court and went to Europe instead. He was arrested only in 2019 for 15 months. He was wanted in Israel, England, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and Norway.
Final score:
31points
POST
Amos Shapira Amos Shapira Community Member Follow
Great article, but why do you keep calling him Simon Leviev instead of his real name?It's a great opportunity to break his charade if you used his real name.And by the way, on Netflix, they say that his name is Shimon Ben-Hayut ("ben" means "son", it's not a middle name or anything).
Vote comment up
11points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3
Lev Leviev, an Israel businessman and the CEO of LLD Diamonds, filed a complaint against Simon, who pretended to be his son. The man who is known as the “king of diamonds” filed a complaint against the fraudster with the Israeli police as his lies were damaging the company’s reputation. The CEO made it clear that Simon had no relations to the Leviev family.
Newsweek , AlexSkipin Report
Final score:
30points
POST
ADVERTIsem*nT
#4
One of the victims portrayed in the document, Pernilla Sjoholm, still lives with her mom. Her wish to buy herself an apartment was crushed when she lent the money to Simon Leviev, who she thought was her friend. This made her bankrupt and only time will tell when she will be able to get back on her feet.
GQ , pernillaelisabeths Report
Final score:
28points
POST
yeciye yeciye Community Member Follow
How much money?
Vote comment up
1point
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5
Even though Simon Leviev received a 15-month sentence, it was reduced to 5 months, making those who were his victims and other people furious about the decision. It was reported that the reasons behind his early release were his good behavior and the need to reduce “the prison population” to avoid an outbreak of COVID-19.
The Times of Israel , Jobs For Felons Hub Report
Final score:
27points
POST
Blue Blue Community Member Follow
As if his good behaviour is anything but another con
Vote comment up
20points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6
It was thought that Simon’s father Yohanan Hayut, who is a chief rabbi of El Al Airlines, was also involved in his son’s scams and helped him to swindle money from other people. The father, however, denied all the claims.
The Times of Israel , ERIC SALARD Report
Final score:
26points
POST
Csaba Hegedűs Csaba Hegedűs Community Member Follow
A rabbi... of an airlines???
Vote comment up
27points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7
In the documentary, it was revealed that all of Simon Leviev’s victims are still paying off their debts. One of these victims is Cecilie Fjellhøy, who, after an encounter with Simon Leviev, was left with £200,000 in debt and constant fear of debt collectors chasing after her. But one of the banks from which she took the loan wrote off her debt.
Elle , frankieleon Report
Final score:
26points
POST
Amos Shapira Amos Shapira Community Member Follow
That's the hardest thing about this story - the long term disaster it left on the victims.I hope Netflix would help them with the proceeds from the series. Is there any chance of that?
Vote comment up
14points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
#8
Simon Leviev got banned from Tinder. The documentary was released on the 2nd of February and it was noted that the man was still using the platform. After the investigation, Tinder banned the user, making sure that he is not using the app under any other alternative names.
Variety , Ivan Radic Report
Final score:
23points
POST
Lara Kristelle Lara Kristelle Community Member Follow
He should be banned everywhere.
Vote comment up
8points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
#9
One of Simon Leviev’s victims, Cecilie Fjellhøy, shared that the best thing a person that has found themselves in a similar position can do is to share their experience, do not be afraid to talk about it, and report such incidents. No one will benefit from the situation if the person keeps everything to themselves and lives with inner blame.
Final score:
23points
POST
Jacob Phillips Jacob Phillips Community Member Follow
Correction; no one but the fraudster will benefit if they keep it to themselves
Vote comment up
10points
Vote comment down
reply
#10
All three victims presented in the documentary started a fundraiser on GoFundMe. The women shared that a lot of people were interested in helping them, so they started a fundraiser that now has more than £31K.
Final score:
23points
POST
** ** Community Member Follow
Long con or short con....I hate bottom feeders whether they dress look scuzzy or not
Vote comment up
1point
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11
Another lie given in one of Simon Leviev’s interviews was about his upcoming “Netflix biopic,” trying to prove that this man has it all. “With a Netflix biopic underway and luxury cars parked in the garage, Leviev’s word is his weight in gold when it comes to real estate. Some envy him; others look up to him.”
Vents Magazine , RAW Report
Final score:
21points
POST
Mickie Shea Mickie Shea Community Member Follow
How does he pull the slime antics of a criminal while others, still look ip to him? Really?
Vote comment up
0points
Vote comment down
reply
ADVERTIsem*nT
#12
Ayleen Charlotte became well-known and praised by people for swindling Simon and this way taking back some of the money he took from her. The woman shared on her Instagram account a picture of herself wearing sunglasses that once belonged to Simon, stating: “Yes, these are his glasses.”
ayleencharlott , ayleencharlott Report
Final score:
20points
POST
Roxy Eastland Roxy Eastland Community Member Follow
Eww, why would you even want them touching your skin?
Vote comment up
11points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13
Simon Leviev is still present on Instagram. The documentary revealed that the man is still continuing with the lavish lifestyle that he likes to show off on his Instagram account. After the documentary, the man shared that he will give his own side of the story but then disappeared from social media. He came back after a while revealing that his account was hacked, and he has now made it private.
The Tab , Stacey MacNaught Report
Final score:
19points
POST
Lola Lola Community Member
Of course he is. He gained a whole new bunch of idiots after the Netflix fiasco.
Vote comment up
7points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14
Back in November of 2021, Simon Leviev was presented as a real estate expert and even gave an interview on how to create a successful career in this field. In this interview he lied about his age, stating that he is a 29-year-old millionaire when he is actually 31 and far from being rich.
Vents Magazine , Turn Source Report
Final score:
19points
POST
Mickie Shea Mickie Shea Community Member Follow
Sure, he is counting future income from his deals.
Vote comment up
1point
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15
Simon Leviev, whose real name is Shimon Hayut, tricked others into thinking that he is the son of Lev Leviev, an Israeli businessman. But when he was questioned about pretending to be someone else, the man insisted that he has the right to call himself howoever he wants and that he never told anyone that he is the son of Lev Leviev, stating that it’s other people’s fault for making these assumptions.
Final score:
16points
POST
K Witmer K Witmer Community Member Follow
He took a photo of lev and his wife and photoshopped himself into it. Idk how no one saw the photoshop it was so obvious. I get people are conned I also think at some point you know you're being conned in some way it just really hurts to come to that realization so you're in denial.
Vote comment up
7points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
See Also on Bored Panda
Mom Demands Her Whole Family Be Upgraded To First Class, Forcing 13-Year-Old To Give Up His Seat, But Gets Deplaned Instead
6 Y.O. “Realizes Something Isn’t Adding Up” With Great-Grandparents Living Wealthy On Ordinary Jobs
#16
The documentary “The Tinder Swindler” was directed by Felicity Morris, the same producer who worked on the TV mini-series “Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer.” The woman shared that a lot has been left behind the screen, so to continue on the topic of “The Tinder Swindler,” a podcast will be released on the 9th of February.
fliss_morris , felicityhmorris Report
Final score:
14points
POST
Mickie Shea Mickie Shea Community Member Follow
ow bout a movie with Brad Pitt and Mills J. Janavich. t'wd be a block buster.
Vote comment up
0points
Vote comment down
reply
#17
At the end of the documentary, it was revealed that the man started a new project and now is providing people with free business consultations through his website. However, the webpage is no longer active.
Simon Leviev , Chris Blackwell Report
Final score:
13points
POST
Balázs Vízer Balázs Vízer Community Member Follow
Not "for free" but "for a fee", huge difference, it's 311 dollars or something like that
Vote comment up
8points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18
After the incident with Simon Leviev, Pernilla Sjoholm and Cecilie Fjellhøy remained close friends and even shared on social media some moments from their vacation together in 2021.
pernillaelisabeths , pernillaelisabeths Report
Final score:
12points
POST
Diana Jonkman Diana Jonkman Community Member Follow
It does not look that they are bankrupted.
Vote comment up
12points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19
After deceiving multiple women and after the release of the documentary, Simon Leviev was reported to be dating a model, Kate Konlin. The woman knows about his past, but from his point of view, thinking that the released truth about him was just his enemies trying to harm him. It was revealed that the couple is no longer dating but remained friends.
Radar Online , Gabriel Saldana Report
Final score:
11points
POST
Mickie Shea Mickie Shea Community Member Follow
Ah, Yes the good ol' friendship .
Vote comment up
1point
Vote comment down
reply
ADVERTIsem*nT
See Also on Bored Panda
Parents Demand 18-Year-Old Son Start Acting Like An Adult, He Goes No-Contact And Offers To Sell Parents His Forgiveness 16 Years Later
Maine Coon Cats: Giant Kitties With The Softest Character
#20
Simon Leviev started his fraudulent behavior when he was 20 years old, stealing checks from families he worked for. He worked for one family as a babysitter for their 4-year-old son and another wealthy family knew him as a handyman. It was reported that he used this money for flying lessons and to buy himself a Porsche.
Haaretz , Eliazar Parra Cardenas Report
Final score:
11points
POST
Walking On Sunshine Walking On Sunshine Community Member Follow
Psychopath. Born that way.
Vote comment up
11points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21
Even though the con artist spent some money on flying lessons, he didn’t complete the civilian flight course, but this didn’t stop him from presenting himself as a pilot. His classmate even revealed that Simon made him invest in his clothing business idea that never actually saw the light of day.
Haaretz , Bernal Saborio Report
Final score:
11points
POST
Mickie Shea Mickie Shea Community Member Follow
I'm thinking good ol' Simon may not be good at business or partnership.
Vote comment up
1point
Vote comment down
reply
#22
In the documentary, one of the closest alliances of Simon Leviev is his bodyguard Peter (also known as Piotr), who, despite being involved in the scam, now walks as a free person and is still seen with Simon, keeping his bodyguard role.
The Cinemaholic , Incase Report
Final score:
10points
POST
Michał Osiecki Michał Osiecki Community Member Follow
he is a Pole, and now wants to sue Netflix cause his pictures were shown. Poor soul, had no idea that the false "attacks" that he was forging with simon were to cheat on women. Instead of laying low he just started the Streisand effect. He wants 3mln EUR from Netflix XD
Vote comment up
3points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23
Simon wasn’t the only one who was using Tinder services. A 36-year-old doctor from the UK revealed that she temporarily dated Simon’s business partner and friend Avi (Avishay). The couple met through Tinder, and the woman also got to experience the extravagant lifestyle the men were leading. The relationship ended soon because the woman didn’t want to date Avi because of his frequent travels.
The Daily Mail , RAW Report
Final score:
9points
POST
Mickie Shea Mickie Shea Community Member Follow
Sad, whenever and however a love made in heaven ends.
Vote comment up
-1point
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!
Follow Bored Panda on Google News!
Modal close
Add Your Answer!
Not your original work? Add source
Publish
Konstancija Gasaitytė
Author, Community member
Read more »
Konstancija is a Content Creator at Bored Panda. She has a bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpreting and a master’s degree in Future Media and Journalism. She is very interested in sustainable fashion and is a perfect companion to go to second-hand shops and antiques for nearly anything: clothes, books or furniture. Her interests also include photography, literature and hiking.
Read less »
Konstancija Gasaitytė
Author, Community member
Read more »
Konstancija is a Content Creator at Bored Panda. She has a bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpreting and a master’s degree in Future Media and Journalism. She is very interested in sustainable fashion and is a perfect companion to go to second-hand shops and antiques for nearly anything: clothes, books or furniture. Her interests also include photography, literature and hiking.
Read less »
What do you think?
POST
Troux Troux Community Member
This is basically a film trailer presented in list format. I never knew how much I didn't want this until now.
Vote comment up
24points
Vote comment down
reply
Dorothy Parker Dorothy Parker Community Member Follow
Not worth reading.
Vote comment up
18points
Vote comment down
reply
Angelar Angelar Community Member Follow
Please, please don't start advertising movies on BP. ...Please. ...please?
Vote comment up
16points
Vote comment down
reply
** ** Community Member Follow
D A ...BP trolls content repacks it
Vote comment up
0points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
POST
Troux Troux Community Member
This is basically a film trailer presented in list format. I never knew how much I didn't want this until now.
Vote comment up
24points
Vote comment down
reply
Dorothy Parker Dorothy Parker Community Member Follow
Not worth reading.
Vote comment up
18points
Vote comment down
reply
Angelar Angelar Community Member Follow
Please, please don't start advertising movies on BP. ...Please. ...please?
Vote comment up
16points
Vote comment down
reply
** ** Community Member Follow
D A ...BP trolls content repacks it
Vote comment up
0points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
You May Like
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Viltė Domkutė
Viltė Domkutė
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Bored Panda's Original TV Shows
Trending on Bored Panda
Newsletter
Stay Tuned to Your Favorite Categories
More categories Subscription arrow right
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Also on Bored Panda