'Tinder Swindler' Simon Leviev to face lawsuit for using Diamond Family's last name
Shimon Hayut, a.k.a. Simon Leviev, is being sued for millions by the real Leviev diamond family, with whom he allegedly pretended to have ties.
In the Netflix hit documentary The Tinder Swindler, Hayut pretended to be a member of the rich Israeli Russian clan to con single women on the dating app. According to his victims, he pretended to be the "son of Israeli diamond tycoon Lev Leviev."
Multiple reports say the Leviev family has launched legal action against the infamous fraudster for false representation.
"For a long time, [Shimon] has been making false representations as being the son of Lev Leviev and receiving multiple numerous benefits (including material ones), cunningly using false words, claiming to be a member of the Leviev family, and that his family will pay and bear the costs of his benefits," court documents of the lawsuit filed in Tel Aviv, Israel read.
The documents also allege that Hayut "defrauded, cheated, conned, falsified, and hurt women, men, and businesses."
It also said that the notorious catfisher took "without permission" a photo of Lev and Ayelet Leviev Jacobson, photoshopping himself into the family portrait.
Other accusations in the lawsuit include defamation, invasion of privacy, and breach of trademarks.
"I am relieved that his real identity and actions have been globally exposed, and hopefully this will bring an end to his unscrupulous actions. The lawsuit we filed today is just the first step out of many we will be taking to have him face justice and get the sentence he deserves," Chagit Leviev, daughter of Lev and heiress of the family fortune, told People.
Hayut has been arrested multiple times for fraud, theft, and forgery. His latest conviction was in 2019 in Greece for forging a passport. However, he was released five months later due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his first interview after the release of the Netflix true crime documentary, Hayut denied scamming his victims.