Simon Leviev of The Tinder Swindler fame took to Instagram Live on Monday to talk about future plans, his accusers and, of course, money.
Leviev, born Shimon Hayut, was made famous by the Netflix documentary, which accused him of conning women, through dating app Tinder, into giving him great sums of money after he had shown them a part of his high-flying lifestyle. He is accused of coercing more than $10 million from women around the world.
"I did not swindle nobody," he said about the documentary during the social media question-and-answer session.
"I am making [a lot] of money every day thanks to Netflix … a hell of a lot of money thanks to that."
He now credits cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, for his wealth, saying: "This is how you make the money in places that people don't want to touch. If I believe in it I'm going for it."
Reacting to accusations of coercing money out of the women in the documentary, he said: "Maybe those girls will go to jail for defamation", while maintaining that he was not going to jail.
He dismisses the accusations that he took millions from them. "My security for a month cost more than they say I took, allegedly," he said.
Leviev, who is currently in Tel Aviv, said he is planning to record music with French Montana, and "maybe Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent", when he is able to travel. He said he has more creative projects in the works, which would give people the "shock of their lives".
"You won't believe what you're going to see," he said. "You have really no idea what's coming up … you're going to be shocked of your life seriously."
Simon Leviev is being sued by Israeli diamond family
In The Tinder Swindler, he claims to be son of Israeli diamond magnate, Lev Leviev, who owns LLD Diamonds.
Lev’s daughter, Chagit Leviev, told E! News that the family plans to bring a multi-million dollar lawsuit against him to "face justice and get the sentence he deserves".
"Shimon Hayut is a fraud who stole our family's identity and has tried to exploit our good name to con victims out of millions of dollars," she said. "He has no relation to the Leviev family and has no affiliation with our company LLD Diamonds.
"I am relieved that his real identity and actions have been globally exposed, and hopefully this will bring an end to his unscrupulous actions."
A lawsuit filed in Tel Aviv states that Simon "has been making false representations as being the son of Lev Leviev and receiving numerous benefits [including material ones]”.
The lawsuit, which names Zevulun Leviev, Ayelet Leviev Jacobson, Ruthy Leviev Yelizerov and Hagit Sofiev Leviev as plaintiffs, as well as company LLD Diamonds USA, LLC, also claims he "defrauded, cheated, conned, falsified, and hurt women, men and businesses" while using the family’s "wealthy" reputation.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
THE SPECS
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Directed: Smeep Kang
Produced: Soham Rockstar Entertainment; SKE Production
Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunny Singh, Omkar Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma
Rating: Two out of five stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets