Tinder Swindler settles legal dispute with Leviev family

The man known as the "Tinder Swindler" has settled his legal dispute with the family of Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev. TMZ has learned that both sides reached an agreement and presented it to an Israeli court for approval.

Family attorney Guy Ophir told TMZ that the settlement includes two key provisions. First, Shimon Hayut denies allegations that he impersonated a family member but promises never to claim any connection to the Leviev family or their companies in the future. Second, Hayut will not seek reimbursement of legal costs or attorney fees.

As seen in the Netflix documentary "The Tinder Swindler," Hayut was accused of posing as Simon Leviev — an heir to the diamond fortune — to deceive women he met on the dating app Tinder. He allegedly swindled an estimated $10 million from victims worldwide before abandoning them.

Ophir explained the reasons for the settlement: Hayut operated mostly outside Israel, creating jurisdictional hurdles for prosecution, and there was little point in continuing because Hayut likely lacks the funds to pay any judgment.

Hayut was previously convicted of fraud, theft, and forgery in connection with the case. He received a 15-month prison sentence in December 2019 but was released after five months.

This may not be the end of Hayut's legal troubles. He told TMZ earlier this year that he planned to sue Netflix for featuring him in their true-crime documentary. So the story may continue.