Convicted Con Artist from Netflix Documentary Arrested in Georgia on Interpol's Request

Shimon Yehuda Hayut, who goes by Simon Leviev and gained notoriety through the Netflix documentary "The Tinder Swindler," was apprehended in Georgia at Batumi international airport on Sunday. His arrest came at the request of Interpol, but the specifics about which country prompted the request remain unclear.

Between 2017 and 2019, Hayut, now 34, reportedly misused the Tinder dating app, pretending to be the son of billionaire diamond trader Lev Leviev. He allegedly swindled women out of around £7.4 million, crafting an elaborate false identity that drew victims into complex emotional and financial situations. According to the documentary, he would charm women on Tinder before treating them to lavish first dates, often employing extravagant props such as bodyguards and private jets to enhance his appeal.

Once he gained the trust of his victims, Hayut was accused of messaging them about financial troubles, claiming his credit card was compromised. He would then allegedly ask them to open new credit accounts in their names for his use. Despite facing these serious accusations, Hayut has maintained his innocence, asserting that he is not a fraud but a genuine businessman who has built his wealth through bitcoin.

In 2019, he was convicted on multiple charges including fraud and forgery, resulting in a 15-month prison sentence, though he served only five months amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he was ordered to compensate his victims and faced fines for possessing a false passport.

The Georgian interior ministry confirmed his recent detention while a spokesperson noted that the reasons behind his arrest are not yet fully understood. Hayut’s lawyer mentioned uncertainty regarding the grounds for the arrest and indicated that he had previously traveled without restrictions. Among his notable victims is Cecilie Fjellhøy, who claimed to have given Hayut over $270,000, while another accuser, Iren Tranov, recently sought legal redress for funds she lent him.