Netflix’s most recent scandal-based documentary never saw the subject charged with the same crimes as the film.
Simon Leviev took Cecilie to London in January 2018 for a one-night date. After meeting on Tinder, he expressed regret at having to leave for work, but maybe she would like to go with him. She searched for her date and found that he was the son Lev Leviev (a famous Russian-Israeli diamond oligarch). While her driver waited, she quickly returned home and packed her bag. This was the start of a turbulent relationship that would leave her broken, deceived and in debt for more than $200,000. Netflix presents the latest true crime documentary The Tinder Swindler allows Cecilie, Pernilla Sjoholm, and Ayleen to tell their stories.
Born Shimon Hayut, in Bnei Brak just east of Tel Aviv. Simon Leviev changed his name to but had no connection whatsoever with the Israeli diamond tycoons. In order to avoid being tried for fraud related crimes, he fled Israel in 2011. He then moved to Finland where he started the scheme that is now featured in Netflix’s documentary. After swindling three women in 2015, he spent two years in Finnish prison. He was released in 2017 and returned to Israel. He fled again before he was arrested and headed back to Europe where the Tinder Swindler continues his story.
According to the Netflix doc, his scheme was this: He would meet women through Tinder and lead them to believe that he was a wealthy heir in the dangerous diamond industry. Then, he would start long-distance relationships. He was traveling for work and living extravagantly on the money of his former target. After being with one woman for some time, he would explain to his girlfriend that he was in danger and send him videos of his “bodyguard” bleeding. He also told his girlfriend that he needed a credit card under another person’s name so that he could not be tracked. His girlfriends sent him credit cards, took out loans, lines of credit and even flew him cash in the time of his need. He promised that he would pay them back. They believed him. He was the prince of Diamonds. He flew in private, stayed in the most luxurious hotels and was always dressed in designer clothes. He did repay them with fake watches, bounced checks, bank transfers, and wire transfers that never got through. Each woman didn’t know that the woman who brought them wealth had paid it for. Women her age were in debt and looking for answers.
Leviev, a wanted man in Israel and Sweden, England and Germany, Denmark and Norway, was finally captured in July 2019 by the police with a fake Greek passport. He was extradited from Israel following the bizarre events in Netflix’s documentary. He denied any charges. He stated that he had the freedom to choose any name he wanted, and that despite never presenting myself as the child of anyone, people can use their imaginations.” He said that their hearts may have been broken. “I never took any money from them. These women had a great time in my company and were able to travel the world on my dime.”
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for theft, fraud and forgery in Israel in December 2019. These charges were not related to his European crimes. He was released after five months in jail.
“How can you trust a man like this, who has escaped twice from Israel? He deceived and conned women across Europe for hundreds of thousand of euros. Pernilla said that Simon was released from prison. “Myself and other women filed lawsuits against his with the European Court of Justice, and submitted complaints against them to Interpol,” stated, a Finnish woman who preferred not to be identified. Another victim said that Interpol and private investigators are waiting for him “to leave Israel to be arrested.” “He destroyed my life and broke me financially and emotionally.”
Simon Leviev is currently 31 years old and lives in Israel as a freeman, according to Insta stories in Tinder Swindler. Although his account is private, he has almost 100,000 followers.
Simon Leviev was not charged with any crime that might have been committed outside of Israel. This includes the conning Cecilie Fjellhoy and Pernilla Skoholm or Ayleen Carolina, who are featured in Netflix’s documentary. states that he allegedly concocted an estimated $10 million from victims on the continent between 2017 and 2019. Cecilie, Pernilla and Ayleen still owe their debts.
