Shimon Yehuda Hayut, also known as Simon Leviev, was arrested on Sunday at Batumi International Airport in Georgia following an Interpol request. Hayut, the infamous con artist at the heart of the Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler, is a convicted fraudster who allegedly swindled millions from women using Tinder.
What Happened
Hayut, 34, was detained by Georgian authorities upon his arrival at the airport in Batumi, located in the southwest of the country. His arrest comes after a red notice from Interpol, but the exact grounds for the detention remain unclear, and it has not been revealed which country requested his arrest.
Hayut’s lawyer, who spoke to Israeli media, confirmed that they were still unaware of the specific reasons behind the arrest, noting that Hayut had been traveling freely around the world before the incident.
Who Was Shimon Hayut?
Shimon Yehuda Hayut, also known by his alias Simon Leviev, gained worldwide notoriety for his role in a multi-million dollar scam that exploited women through the popular dating app, Tinder. Between 2017 and 2019, he allegedly posed as the wealthy son of Lev Leviev, a billionaire diamond mogul, to scam his victims out of millions.
The Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler brought his story to the public’s attention, detailing how he lured women into emotional and financial traps by promising luxury dates, private jets, and bodyguards. Once gaining their trust, Hayut would claim to be in financial distress and convince women to open credit cards in their names for his use, leading to fraudulent charges and significant debt for his victims.
Career/Legacy or Background
Before his arrest, Hayut was a convicted fraudster, having been sentenced in 2019 for fraud, theft, and forgery. After his arrest and extradition from Greece to Israel, he served five months of a 15-month sentence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His history of deception and manipulation extended beyond his Tinder scams, as he was known to have used various false identities and fraudulent documentation.
Despite being convicted, Hayut continued to claim that he was a legitimate businessman, asserting that he amassed his wealth through investments, including bitcoin. However, his claims were repeatedly contradicted by evidence from his victims and law enforcement.
Public/Social Media Reactions
Hayut’s story quickly captivated the world after the release of the Tinder Swindler documentary in 2022, with many expressing outrage at his ability to deceive multiple women on such a grand scale. Victims, including Norwegian graduate student Cecilie Fjellhøy, who was featured in the documentary, shared their harrowing experiences. Fjellhøy disclosed that she had lent Hayut over $270,000 during their relationship, believing he was a wealthy businessman.
On social media, public reaction has been a mixture of disbelief and anger, with many condemning Hayut’s manipulative behavior and the damage caused to his victims. The case has sparked broader conversations about online dating scams, the vulnerability of women to such con artists, and the ease with which people can hide behind fake personas.
Official Statements or What Happens Next
Following his arrest, the Georgian interior ministry confirmed that Hayut’s detention was based on an Interpol red notice. At present, it remains unclear whether the charges he faces in Georgia relate to his previous fraudulent activities or whether new charges have been brought forward.
As of now, authorities have not released further details on the specific charges or legal processes that Hayut will face. His lawyer has confirmed that they are still seeking clarity on the situation.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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