Simon Leviev — the man infamous for conning women out of millions and inspiring Netflix’s viral hit The Tinder Swindler — has been arrested once again.
The notorious scammer, born Shimon Yehuda Hayut, was taken into custody Sunday morning at Batumi International Airport in Georgia, a port city on the Black Sea near the Russian border.
Arrest Confirmed by Georgian Authorities
The Georgian Interior Ministry confirmed Leviev’s detention following the issuance of a Red Notice from Interpol — essentially an international “most wanted” alert that allows law enforcement across borders to cooperate in detaining suspects.
Authorities in Georgia did not reveal exactly why Leviev was picked up this time. His legal team also seems to be in the dark.
Leviev’s attorney told Israeli outlet Walla: “I don’t know why he was arrested. He’s been traveling freely around the world.”
The Rise (and Fall) of the Tinder Swindler
Leviev became a global household name in 2022 after Netflix released The Tinder Swindler, a documentary detailing how he allegedly posed as the son of a wealthy Russian-Israeli diamond mogul and used dating apps to scam women out of vast sums of money.
The film outlined how Leviev lured victims with lavish trips and luxury gifts — all funded by previous victims in a twisted Ponzi scheme of romance and fraud.
A History of Scams and Prison Time
Leviev’s criminal record dates back long before Netflix spotlighted his schemes:
- 2011 – Fled Israel while facing fraud, theft, and forgery charges.
- 2015 – Served time in Finland for defrauding several women.
- 2017 – Returned to Israel, then fled again.
- 2019 – Arrested in Greece after Interpol issued a warrant.
- 2020 – Sentenced to 15 months in prison in Israel but served just five months due to COVID-19 early-release measures.
Since his release, Leviev has been spotted flaunting a jet-setting lifestyle on social media, often sharing luxury cars, high-end fashion, and lavish vacations — a move that infuriated his victims.
Why Now?
It’s unclear what triggered Interpol’s latest Red Notice, but Leviev’s arrest suggests authorities across multiple countries may have reignited efforts to hold him accountable.
Experts speculate the move could be linked to new fraud allegations, ongoing international complaints, or violations of past parole conditions.
What Happens Next
Leviev’s fate now lies in the hands of Georgian authorities and Interpol. The arrest could lead to extradition requests from countries where he still faces unresolved legal cases.
So far, Leviev’s camp has not issued an official response to the arrest.
Global Reaction
Online, fans of the Netflix documentary are buzzing over the news. Many victims and viewers have long criticized how quickly Leviev seemed to bounce back into the spotlight after his brief prison stint.
Social media posts are already calling this “karma catching up” and questioning whether he’ll finally serve a meaningful sentence.
Bottom Line
The man the world came to know as the “Tinder Swindler” has once again been caught in the crosshairs of international law enforcement.
Whether Simon Leviev will finally face serious consequences — or slip through the cracks like before — remains to be seen.
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