“The Tinder Swindler” case broke public by a Netflix documentary under the same name. It involves a series of romance scams perpetrated by an Israeli conman who posed as a wealthy diamond mogul to manipulate and defraud women he met on Tinder. After being charged with romance fraud, identity theft, forgery, and fraud, he is now free and reinventing himself on social media.
What are romance scams?
- A romance scam (also known as a confidence scam or romance fraud) is a type of social engineering attack in which a scammer deceives someone into a romantic or emotional relationship for the purpose of financial exploitation or other forms of manipulation.
They typically involve emotional manipulation to bypass the victim’s critical thinking, the use of false identities for catfishing, and online platforms to substantiate their backstories. Romance scams are typically a long game: it may take weeks or even months to develop trust before the victims are asked for money.
The scammer, then fabricates crisis by creating an urgent situation requiring financial help (e.g. a medical emergency, a travel issue, or even an arrest). Scammers also frequently use isolation tactics, encouraging the victim to hide the relationship from family or friends.
Who is the Tinder Swindler?
Shimon Yehuda Hayut is an Israeli man who used the alias of Simon Leviev on social media. He portrayed himself as the son of billionaire diamond tycoon Lev Leviev (even if he has no relation to the actual Leviev family).
His scam tactics (the MO)
- Hayut met women on Tinder (a popular dating app), presenting himself as a wealthy businessman working in the diamond trade. He used photos and videos online to show a luxurious lifestyle, flaunting his trips on private jets, accompanied by bodyguards and staying at expensive hotels.
- He was quick to declare deep feelings to his victims and talked about a future together. He promised luxury trips and a life of wealth and safety.
- He then faked threats from "enemies" in the diamond trade. He claimed his life was in danger and that his financial accounts were frozen for security reasons.
- He therefore asked his victims to open credit cards, take out loans, or wire money to help him maintain his cover while he "evaded danger.” He often repaid initial small loans with stolen money from previous victims, maintaining the illusion of trustworthiness.
- In a Ponzi-like cycle, he used funds from new victims to impress and defraud future targets.
His victims are believed to have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars each. In total, the scam is estimated to have defrauded women of over $10 million.
The arrest and conviction
In 2019, Hayut was arrested in Greece for using a fake passport and was extradited to Israel. In Israel, he was convicted of fraud, theft, and forgery (relating to earlier crimes). He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, but was released after 5 months only due to good behaviour.
He wasn’t charged for most of the romance fraud due to international jurisdiction and a lack of formal complaints. He was banned from Tinder and other dating platforms. The Leviev family sued Hayut for impersonating their name.
Despite being exposed, he continued flaunting a lavish lifestyle on social media. He is currently free and is attempting to rebrand himself as a business consultant and media personality.
In the meantime, his victims are still paying off their debts.
Who are the victims of romance scams?
Romance scams do not discriminate — victims can be any gender, age, or nationality. However, common traits include: people who are recently divorced or widowed, experiencing loneliness or emotional vulnerability. The victims are often trusting and empathetic individuals who are unfamiliar with digital fraud tactics.
The emotional and financial impact of romance scams can be devastating: victims often lose thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, leaving emotional trauma and reputational harm.
Why are romance scams difficult to prosecute?
What to do if you suspect you’re been scammed
- Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to verify if the profile is using stolen images and videos
- PimEyes or FaceCheck.ID for facial recognition
- SocialCatfish for profile verification
- ScamSurvivors, RomanceScamsNow, and similar forums to check if anyone has had the same experience or know your love interest
- BeenVerified, Spokeo, or Pipl to perform a background check
Also, use some common-sense tips: be wary of anyone who avoids video calls or meeting in person. Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you haven’t met. Slow down — scammers push for quick emotional escalation. Check for inconsistencies in their story or grammar (especially if they claim to be highly educated). And finally, talk to someone you trust about the relationship.