Shimon Yehuda Hayut, also identified as Simon Leviev, has been apprehended in Georgia at the request of Interpol. His arrest follows the release of a 2022 Netflix documentary, “The Tinder Swindler,” which detailed allegations of romance fraud and financial crimes estimated at $10 million.
The documentary showcased accounts from several individuals who reported being courted with lavish gifts and getaways, which they stated led them to provide Hayut with significant funds. One individual, Cecilie Fjellhøy, reported providing over $270,000. Another, Iren Tranov, filed a lawsuit in Israel concerning an alleged loan exceeding 144,000 shekels.
Georgian authorities did not immediately provide specific details regarding the reason for Hayut’s arrest. Hayut, 34, has previously denied all accusations of fraud and physical harm made against him in the documentary and subsequent reports.
Source: www.bbc.com