Netflix’s latest true crime documentary, The Tinder Swindler, lands on the streaming service on February 2 and tells the story of one man’s scheme to con women out of thousands of pounds via a dating app.
Described as “the jaw-dropping story of a prolific conman who posed as a billionaire playboy on Tinder, and the women who set out to bring him down”, the new series follows conman Shimon Hayut on his journey from crime to prison time.
After posing as a billionaire CEO and legally changing his name to Simon Leviev to make his story more authentic, Shimon would contact women via Tinder and take them on lavish dates, before asking them for money – which he would use to seduce his next victim.
(Image: simon_leviev_official/Instagram)
He was eventually caught in 2019 and given a lengthy prison sentence, but the victims were left shocked after Shimon Hayut was released from prison after just five months.
He had originally been sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay his victims $43,289 in compensation in December 2019, by Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court.
However, Shimon was later given early release in May 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
(Image: NETFLIX)
The Times of Israel reported that Shimon had met the conditions for his early release, under the program aimed at reducing the prison population due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
His early release was met with shock and anger by his victims, with Pernilla Sjoholm, who speaks as part of the Tinder Swindler documentary, saying to Channel 12 news: “I was in shock from the decision to release him.”
(Image: NETFLIX)
She added: “He deceived people and left prison after five months?
“How can you give trust to a man like that, who escaped from Israel twice? A man that deceived and swindled women in Europe for hundreds of thousands of euros. Where is the justice?”
A second victim revealed her story to the news channel, saying: “I’m a single mom to a daughter and I gave him all the savings I had. It’s a disgrace that they released him from prison.”
(Image: NETFLIX)
A third victim was also reported as saying that they and other victims were planning to file lawsuits against Shimon Hayut, saying: “He ruined my life and shattered me emotionally and financially. I will never forgive him in my life for what he did to me.
“He will pay dearly for his actions and we will make sure he will go to prison for many years.”
The Tinder Swindler is available to watch on Netflix
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
