The Tinder Swindler
The Story
Using the dating app Tinder, Simon Leviev posed as the son of a billionaire diamond magnate. He wooed women with a lavish lifestyle of private jets, luxury hotels, and expensive gifts. After gaining their trust, he would create a crisis—claiming his enemies were after him—and persuade his victims to take out massive loans or max out their credit cards to 'help' him, promising to pay them back.
The money from new victims was used to fund the lifestyle that seduced the next target.
🚩 Red Flags
- Moving the relationship extremely fast
- Love bombing and extravagant displays of wealth
- A sudden, desperate need for financial help
- Vague and dramatic stories about 'enemies'
- Always having a reason why his own funds were inaccessible
⚖️ The Fallout
Exposed by a Netflix documentary in 2022. He was arrested in Greece in 2022 but served only 5 months for previous crimes. He was ordered to pay restitution to his victims but has not done so. He now sells dubious 'business coaching' online.
📚 Lessons Learned
Romance and empathy are powerful tools for scammers. Verify a person's identity and background independently. Never lend money to someone you've only known for a short time, no matter how compelling the story.
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