Leviev Family Moves to Drop Tinder Swindler Criminal Complaint

The family of Israeli diamond magnate Lev Leviev submitted an agreement to the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court to withdraw its private criminal complaint against Shimon Yehuda Hayut, known publicly as Simon Leviev and the Tinder Swindler. Reports say the deal would end the case without an acquittal, bar Hayut and the other defendants from presenting him as connected to the Leviev family or LLD companies, and leave them without legal-cost reimbursement. Attorney Guy Ophir, representing the family, said the court raised a jurisdiction issue because most alleged acts occurred abroad and attorney-general approval would be required, while continuing could have pushed the case toward 2030. The complaint was filed in 2022 after the family said Hayut used their name and diamond-business reputation to mislead victims.