Leviev Diamond Family Sues the Tinder Swindler
March 06, 22
(IDEX Online) - The family of diamond billionaire Lev Leviev is suing "Tinder Swindler" Shimon Heyada Hayut, alleging false representation.
The 31-year-old Israeli changed his name to Simon Leviev, claimed to be a member of the family behind LLD Diamonds and was jailed for fraud in Finland and Israel.
A suit for "malice defamation" has now been filed at Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court in Israel. It identifies the plaintiffs as four of Leviev's children - Zevulun Leviev, Ayelet Leviev Jacobson, Ruthy Leviev Yelizarov, and Chagit Leviev Sofiev - together with the family company LLD Diamonds USA Ltd.
Court papers allege Hayut (pictured) duped women he met on the dating app Tinder, falsely claiming to be a member of the super-rich family and luring them with a jet set lifestyle which was depicted in the Netflix documentary Tinder Swindler.
"He is a crook and deceiver who changed his name for criminal purposes, while identifying that he is a member of the Leviev family and taking the reputation of the complainants," says part of the suit, translated from Hebrew.
Guy Ophir, lawyer for the Leviev family and a specialist in internet, cyber and technology, said the current lawsuit was the first step in an "all-out legal war" against Hayut and anyone who assisted him.
The Leviev family will donate any money it obtains from Hayut to his victims.