‘The Tinder Swindler’ was the biggest movie on Netflix a couple of weeks ago and quite rightly so, as it skilfully told the story of prolific conman Simon Hayut who managed to have a whole different bunch of girlfriends/friends all over Europe and get them to take out massive loans to pay for his extravagant lifestyle. I’m sure you’ve probably seen it if you’re reading this, but if you haven’t then it really is as ridiculous and crazy as that sentence makes it sound.

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Anyway, Hayut fooled all his victims by claiming that his name was Simon Leviev and that he was the son of billionaire diamond oligarch Lev Leviev, even though there’s absolutely no relation between the two of them whatsoever. Hayut was eventually jailed at the end of the documentary, but since its release it’s been revealed that he only ended up serving five months for good behaviour and is now roaming free and up to his usual tricks again with a supermodel girlfriend in tow.

However, after the global notoriety of the film, the Leviev family aren’t happy and are now suing Hayut for defamation of character which could literally bankrupt the guy – although we’re sure he’ll probably find some way to worm his way out of it again. Here’s what he had to say about it:

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The Leviev family is a wealthy family and has many businesses, including a diamond company affiliated with it. Shimon Yehuda Hayut changed his name to Simon Leviev, and for a long time posed, and still poses, in Israel and around the world, as a member of the Leviev family.

As a result, he received many favors and enjoyed various benefits, all while presenting a false narrative and claiming the Leviev family will cover his costs.

He also used the trademark of the family’s diamond company and made his victims believe that he was actually a member of it.

By doing so, he deceived, lied, and hurt innocent women, men, and businesses in Israel and around the world, and as a result, his actions were associated with the family name.

Damn. That really doesn’t sound that good for the guy does it? I don’t think there’s anyway he can win the case either because he’s clearly done everything that he’s accused of and he’s going up against literal billionaires here as well. Gonna need to drop a whole load of voicenotes saying ‘my enemies’ to even have a chance in hell of beating it. Again, I wouldn’t put it past the guy though – would you?

For more of the same, check out the news about The Tinder Swindler’s dating show and podcast. Surely he shouldn’t be getting these opportunities?