The Tinder Swindler is the latest Netflix true-crime documentary, with the focus this time on real-life scammer Shimon Hayuk, who conned money from Tinder matches by pretending to be the billionaire heir to an Israeli diamond fortune.
Viewers of The Tinder Swindler are bound to be both intrigued and horrified as the documentary examines Hayuk’s operation from 2017–2019. Hayuk found his victims on Tinder by posing as Simon Leviev, son of diamond mogul Lev Leviev. Hayuk would lavish his Tinder dates with attention, expensive gifts, and trips in his private jet. Later, he would contact the dates claiming that he had been attacked by his enemies and was in need of financial aid. He would then cut contact with the former victims and use their money to lure in new victims. He swindled an estimated $10 million from multiple victims across the globe.
Hayuk’s wild story in The Tinder Swindler concludes with his arrest and imprisonment for his crimes. However, he received a light sentence of only 15 months.
Who Is Shimon Hayuk?
Before he became the “Tinder Swindler,” Hayuk was already committing crimes under his birth name. As far back as 2011, The Times of Israel reported Hayuk was charged with theft, forgery, and fraud. He fled to Finland, where he was arrested for defrauding several women and sentenced to 3 years in prison in 2015. By 2017, he was returned to Israel to be resentenced and recharged.
However, Hayuk would never be resentenced or recharged in Israel. Instead, he legally changed his name to Leviev and fled the country, again. Traveling around various countries, Hayuk launched his dating app scheme. In 2019, he was arrested once more in Greece for using a forged passport. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, but served only 5 months before his early release. Hayuk declined to be a part of Netflix’s The Tinder Swindler and has since denied the allegations in the documentary.
Where Is Shimon Hayuk Today?
Hayuk is out of prison and living as a free man today. While he was banned from Tinder, he doesn’t live with many other restrictions. After The Tinder Swindler released, Hayuk gained over 200,000 followers on Instagram before he deleted his account.
Since his release, Hayuk has been looking for new ways to earn money through giving business advice and from using Cameo. More recently, Entertainment Today reported Hayuk is a Hollywood hopeful. He has reportedly signed on with a talent manager, Gina Rodriguez, in hopes of entering into the entertainment industry.His exact plans in the industry are unclear, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he attempts to counter The Tinder Swindler with his side of the story.
While Hayuk is dreaming of being a Hollywood star, many of his victims are still suffering the aftermath of his crimes and attempting to retrieve their money through means such as GoFundMe. However, his freedom might just be temporary, as the real Leviev family is now suing Hayuk for his impersonation. Hayuk has a tendency to run from his consequences, but there are clearly still more victims and charges that could catch up with him at some point.
(Image: Netflix)
