))
Ep: 86 Behind the Mask: The Self-Proclaimed Victim of the Tinder Swindler Tells His Side
Manage episode 476848229 series 3328535
Content provided by Sophia Delavari. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Sophia Delavari or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Simon Leviev sits across from me, remarkably composed for someone who became 2022's most Googled man after Netflix branded him "The Tinder Swindler." His notoriety has created a paradox - worldwide infamy that he simultaneously rejects and capitalizes on.
Growing up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community as a rabbi's son, Simon describes a world without television, secular education, or exposure to modern life. "I grew up in a house without a TV, without anything, only religion stuff," he explains. This sheltered existence created a curious mind that questioned everything. Even as a child, he sensed a different path ahead: "I knew I meant to be something bigger."
Simon fiercely disputes the Netflix narrative, claiming relationships were misrepresented and allegations fabricated. "I didn't scam any girls," he insists repeatedly. Yet he freely admits to other controversial acts - changing identities, living on false passports, and past money laundering, which he describes clinically: "I offered a service. I took my commission." This selective transparency creates a fascinating psychological puzzle.
Whether you see him as calculating manipulator or misunderstood victim, Simon Leviev's story raises uncomfortable questions about identity, perception, and the blurry line between strategic maneuvering and deception. Listen now for a rare glimpse into the mind behind one of the most controversial figures in modern media.
Please feel free to reach out to me on instagram if you have any questions :
https://www.instagram.com/sophiadelavari/
Chapters
1. Life as "Most Googled Man" (00:00:00)
2. Growing Up Orthodox (00:01:58)
3. Family Pain and Childhood Trauma (00:03:33)
4. Changing Identity and Background (00:06:24)
5. Prison Time and Legal Troubles (00:10:37)
6. Tinder Swindler Netflix Controversy (00:14:56)
7. Business Success and Manipulation Skills (00:19:46)
8. The Crypto Future and Personal Security (00:24:14)
9. Final Thoughts on Judgment (00:39:22)
86 episodes
Share
