Simon Leviev, the notorious fraudster known worldwide as the “Tinder Swindler,” was arrested Sunday morning at Batumi International Airport in Georgia following an Interpol Red Notice, marking a dramatic new chapter in the international manhunt for the convicted con artist.
The 34-year-old Israeli national, whose real name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut, was detained at the Black Sea airport after Georgian Interior Ministry officials confirmed he was taken into custody based on an international alert from Interpol. However, authorities have remained conspicuously silent about the specific charges leading to his arrest.
Mystery Surrounds Detention
Georgia’s Interior Ministry did not elaborate on why Leviev was taken into custody, creating an air of mystery around what new legal troubles may be pursuing the infamous swindler. Even Leviev’s attorney expressed confusion about the arrest, telling Israeli outlet Walla: “I spoke with him this morning after he was detained, but we don’t yet understand the reason. He has been traveling freely around the world.”
The timing of the arrest has raised eyebrows, particularly since one week prior to his arrest, Leviev announced on Instagram the upcoming publication of his book, “The Story Behind the Man”, describing it as his “full life story” and “a blueprint” for how he built his wealth and power.
International Notoriety
Leviev rose to global infamy after becoming the subject of Netflix’s 2022 documentary The Tinder Swindler, which became the streaming platform’s most-watched documentary across 90 countries. Between 2017 and 2019, Leviev allegedly used the dating app Tinder to pose as a wealthy heir and trick women into advancing him large sums of money, which he never repaid.
His scheme became one of the most notorious examples of “catfishing” — creating a false online persona to lure victims into emotional and financial entanglements. The elaborate deception reportedly involved fake luxury lifestyles, bodyguards, and private jets, making the scam unusually convincing and costly.
Netflix has said Hayut “ultimately defrauded victims in Norway, Finland and Sweden out of an estimated $10 million” during his multi-year romance fraud operation. The documentary featured testimonies from several victims who described how Leviev would court them with extravagant gifts and luxury experiences before claiming he needed emergency funds due to threats from mysterious “enemies.”
Complex Legal History
The arrest adds another layer to Leviev’s already complex legal situation. In 2019, he was convicted on four counts of fraud in a separate case and served five months of a 15-month prison sentence. However, multiple jurisdictions continue to pursue cases against him.
Reports suggest Leviev scammed victims in Norway, Finland, and Sweden, accumulating an estimated $10 million over several years. While he served five months of a 15-month prison sentence in Israel, many legal cases remain unresolved, including pending fraud charges in Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Despite his criminal convictions and international notoriety, Leviev had been living relatively freely. In 2022, Leviev publicly denied the allegations, claiming in a CNN interview that he had merely used Tinder to meet women. Despite his notoriety, he leveraged his newfound fame on social media, where he maintains a following of over 250,000.
Ongoing Impact on Victims
The arrest of Leviev marks a significant development for his remaining victims, some of whom continue to seek justice years after being defrauded. Many women featured in the Netflix documentary described the lasting financial and emotional damage caused by Leviev’s sophisticated deception.
Norwegian victim Cecilie Fjellhøy, one of the most prominent voices in the documentary, reportedly lost over $270,000 to Leviev’s schemes. Her case, along with others, helped expose the scale and sophistication of his international fraud operation.
What Happens Next
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether he will face immediate extradition or additional charges locally, but the arrest is seen as a critical step in resolving ongoing investigations. The involvement of Interpol’s Red Notice system suggests that multiple countries may be seeking Leviev’s extradition for various charges.
As details about the mysterious new charges emerge, legal experts anticipate this arrest could finally bring closure to victims across multiple countries who have been waiting years for justice. The case continues to serve as a cautionary tale about the risks of online dating and the sophisticated methods employed by modern fraudsters.
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