September 16, 2025 | 11:27 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Notorious conman from Israel, Simon Leviev, who gained fame through the Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler, has been arrested in Georgia. According to TRT, Simon Leviev, 34, whose real name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut, became famous after investigative reports and media coverage exposed his pattern of fraud and financial crimes.
"He was arrested at Batumi airport (a city on the Black Sea) at the request of Interpol," said Interior Ministry spokesperson Tato Kuchava, without providing further details.
The story of Simon Leviev gained attention from 2017 to 2019. He is alleged to have used the dating app Tinder to pose as a wealthy heir and swindle women into lending him large sums of money, which were never repaid.
This was purportedly one of the most famous examples of "catfishing," creating a false online persona to emotionally and financially entangle victims. In Leviev's case, he flaunted a fake luxurious lifestyle, including a personal bodyguard and private jet. The cost of his deception was incredibly high.
The Netflix documentary released in 2022 tells the stories of several individuals who were allegedly his victims. According to Netflix, Hayut's victims were scattered across Norway, Finland, and Sweden, with estimated losses of around US$10 million.
"I spoke with him this morning after he was detained, but we do not yet understand the reason. He has been traveling freely around the world," said Leviev's lawyer to the Israeli media outlet Walla, as cited by New York Post.
Leviev fled Israel in 2011 before he could be sentenced for charges of fraud, theft, and forgery. He served a two-year sentence in a Finnish prison from 2015 to 2017 for defrauding several women before being extradited back to Israel in 2017.
He then fled Israel again using a fake passport until Interpol apprehended him in Greece in 2019. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his fraud in Israel. Leviev was released early in May 2020, having served only five months in prison amidst COVID-19 concerns.
Editor's Choice: Find Your Match: Here are 6 Popular Dating Apps
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Pro-Palestine Demonstrators Force Cancellation of Spanish Cycling Event
14 jam lalu
DemonstratiPro-Palestine protests in Spain foons in Spain targeted the Israeli team and led to the cancellation of the final stage of Vuelta a Espana.
Indonesia Renews Support for UN Call on Palestine Two-State Solution
18 jam lalu
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses support for the New York Declaration at the UN, which promotes a two-state solution in the Palestine-Israel conflict.
UN Adopts Declaration Supporting Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine
19 jam lalu
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, September 12, approved a resolution that supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
Israeli Airstrike in Yemen Kills 26 Journalists, Houthi Reports
21 jam lalu
The Houthi group in Yemen announced on Sunday that an Israeli airstrike on Sana'a last Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 26 local media journalists.
Arab Leaders Demand Action After Israeli Attack on Qatar
1 hari lalu
Officials from Arab and Islamic countries on Sunday night urged decisive action against Israel following an airstrike on Qatar.
Ex-IDF Chief Admits Over 200,000 Palestinians Killed or Injured in Gaza
1 hari lalu
Former Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi has admitted that more than 200,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed or injured since October 2022.
Qatar to Host Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit After Israeli Strike on Doha
1 hari lalu
Qatar announced that it will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Monday, September 15, 2025, to discuss Israel's recent attack on Doha.
Israel Bombs Gaza City, Killing 49 and Leaving 6,000 Homeless in One Day
1 hari lalu
Israeli military intensifies attacks in Gaza City, forcing residents to flee and causing severe humanitarian crisis.
Could Israel's Attack on Hamas in Qatar's Doha Lead to War?
3 hari lalu
The ripple effects of Israel's strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar's Doha could further destabilize the region. What is at stake?
Indonesia's Prabowo Departs for Qatar
3 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo decided to come to Qatar after Israel attacked Doha last Tuesday.
