The Tinder Swindler: Where Is He Now?

What happens when a “billionaire heir” sweeps you onto private jets—then drains your bank account in the name of love?In this episode, Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco unpack the Simon Leviev (born Shimon Hayut) saga—the “Tinder Swindler”: from his early frauds and reinvention as a diamond-dynasty playboy, to the Ponzi-style romance scam across Europe, the 2019 arrest and return to Israel, the viral Netflix documentary, the lifetime bans from major dating apps, and the latest 2025 twist: detention in Georgia on an Interpol Red Notice tied to a German case. They also dig into why romance scams work, what platforms can (and can’t) prevent, and whether offenders should profit from notoriety.  What you’ll hear:→ Origin story & M.O.: name change, “Prince of Diamonds” persona, love-bombing, staged danger (“enemies are after me”), and a Ponzi-like loop—using one victim’s money to impress the next.  → The exposé & arrest: VG’s reporting unmasks him in 2019; Athens airport detention on a fake passport; extradition to Israel and a 2019 conviction (early COVID release in 2020).  → Netflix impact (2022): global outrage, bans by Tinder/OkCupid/Hinge/Plenty of Fish (Match Group), and the Lev Leviev family’s legal pushback over the stolen surname.  → Post-doc moves: Cameo cash-grab, new alleged victim(s), high-profile breakup, and attempts to monetize infamy (crypto “tind,” memoir tease).  → 2025 developments: detained in Batumi, Georgia on an Interpol Red Notice tied to alleged German fraud; placed in extradition custody while he denies the claims.  → Debate segments: “emotional catfishing,” spotting red flags (rushed intimacy, money emergencies, luxury cosplay), platform responsibility vs. personal due diligence, and Son of Sam–style limits on profiting from crimes.  → Practical takeaways: verification tips from the panel—ID/face checks, background/credit clues, reading photo backgrounds, and using promissory notes for “loans.”  ⚖️ DisclaimerDebate the News: True Crime Edition is for informational and discussion purposes only. We are not attorneys, law enforcement officers, or forensic experts. While we research each case, the show is recorded live with little to no editing; any factual errors are unintentional. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Listener discretion is advised. Guest and audience views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts.Speakers→ Adrienne Barker — Host→ Joseph Lobosco — Host→ Angiesworld — Guest Contributor→ StefMarie Cole — Guest Contributor→ Anne P — Guest Contributor→ Jonathan Howard — Guest Contributor→ Mama K — Guest Contributor→ Mary Kim — Guest Contributor→ Credit Ninja — Guest Contributor→ Mekey — Guest Contributor→ Lisa — Guest Contributor→ Debbie — Guest Contributor→ Mariana — Guest ContributorCredits:"Debate The News: True Crime"Created by: Jonathan Bing, Adrienne Barker and Joseph R. LoboscoProducers: Adrienne Barker, Joseph R. Lobosco, Jonathan BingWriters: Adrienne Barker & Joseph R. LoboscoEditor: Joseph R. LoboscoCover Art: Joseph R. Lobosco Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/karmaWatch: http://ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production📍 Recorded Live on Chatter Social | Hosted by Joseph Lobosco & Adrienne BarkerThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp