Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-03**Lead**
Shimon Hayut, the Israeli-born con man who defrauded multiple women of millions of dollars under the alias Simon Leviev and became the subject of the Netflix documentary *The Tinder Swindler*, announced plans to launch a “safe” dating application in early 2027. In a series of social media posts and a brief interview with a European tabloid, Hayut claimed the platform would use advanced identity verification and behavioral screening tools — many of which, critics note, appear to mirror the very manipulation tactics he once employed to gain trust and extract money from victims.
The announcement comes as Hayut, 36, continues to rebuild his public profile following a 2019 conviction in Israel for theft, fraud, and forgery. He served only a few months of a 15-month sentence under a plea deal and was released in 2020. In subsequent years, he has leveraged his infamy for appearances, merchandise, and now a tech venture that he says will “revolutionize online dating safety.”
**Contexto**
Hayut’s scheme was both simple and devastating. Operating on Tinder, Instagram, and WhatsApp, he presented himself as Simon Leviev, heir to a diamond fortune. He wooed women with luxurious dates and promises of a future together, then staged emergencies — fake kidnappings, intercepted business deals — to convince them to transfer large sums of money into accounts he controlled. The total amount stolen from victims across Europe, the United States, and other countries is estimated by law enforcement to be in the millions, though exact figures remain sealed in multiple jurisdictions.
The documentary’s release in early 2022 triggered a wave of public outrage and renewed calls for dating app companies to implement stronger anti-fraud measures. Tinder’s parent company, Match Group, later expanded its background check partnerships and introduced photo verification tools. However, critics argue that the industry’s basic incentive structure — maximizing user engagement and premium subscriptions — often conflicts with rigorous safety protocols.
Hayut’s proposed app, which he has tentatively branded “TrueMatch” in leaked promotional materials, claims to address these deficits. According to his posts, the app will require government-issued ID for all profiles, use AI-driven conversation analysis to flag coercive language, and employ former law enforcement officers to review suspicious accounts. Hayut has asserted that his personal experience “on the other side” gives him unique insight into how scammers operate.
Legal experts and former federal prosecutors in the United States are skeptical. “This is a convicted fraudster asking the public to trust him with their personal data and romantic lives,” said a former FBI cybercrimes analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity due to ongoing investigations. “He is essentially proposing to use the same playbook — establish trust through authoritative systems, then exploit that trust.” The analyst noted that Hayut’s announcement follows a known pattern of high-profile con artists rebranding as security consultants after their release, a phenomenon sometimes called ‘Jekyll-and-Hyde entrepreneurship.’
**Análise**
The political implications of Hayut’s venture extend far beyond a single app. His announcement lands amid a broader U.S. policy debate about online fraud, platform liability, and the limits of self-regulation in the tech sector. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported that romance scams alone cost American consumers more than $1.1 billion annually, a figure that has risen sharply since the pandemic. Lawmakers in both parties have introduced bills targeting online impersonation and financial exploitation, though none have advanced to a floor vote in the current congressional session.
Hayut’s proposal also intersects with emerging discussions about the rights of convicted individuals to monetize their notoriety. While the First Amendment generally protects such activities, several state attorneys general have explored civil remedies that would allow victims to claim proceeds from any business launched by a convicted fraudster if it can be shown that the venture relies on the same reputation and skills used to commit the original crimes. A spokesperson for the New York Attorney General’s office declined to comment on whether Hayut’s plans are under review, but confirmed that “any business model that appears to replicate deceptive practices will face scrutiny.”
For the victims of the Tinder Swindler, the news has reopened wounds. One victim, who identified herself in interviews as Cecilie Fjellhøy, stated publicly that the announcement is “insulting” and that a convicted predator should not be granted a platform to create a system that could put more people at risk. She and other victims have urged regulators to intervene before the app reaches the market.
From a policy perspective, Hayut’s app serves as a stress test for existing consumer protection frameworks. If his platform is approved by Apple and Google for distribution on their app stores — which own near-duopoly control over mobile software distribution — it would force those companies to again defend their vetting processes. Both companies have faced criticism for allowing scam apps to proliferate despite policies prohibiting fraud. A Google spokesperson said the company reviews all apps for compliance with its deceptive behavior policy, but would not comment on an app not yet submitted. Apple did not respond to requests for comment.
**Fontes**
- Netflix documentary *The Tinder Swindler* (2022), directed by Felicity Morris. - Israeli District Court conviction records in the case of *State of Israel v. Shimon Hayut* (2019). - Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2023: “Romance Scams: Losses Exceed $1.1 Billion.” - Match Group, “Safety & Trust Initiatives,” 2024 press release on expanded background checks. - Victim statement via BBC News, “Tinder Swindler Victim Condemns New App Plans,” March 2026. - Public social media posts by Shimon Hayut (@simonleviev_official) on Instagram, September 2026.