The Tinder Swindler (2022)

3 1/2 Stars (out of 4)

Don't Believe the Swipe

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Directed by Felicity Morris, the harrowing documentary The Tinder Swindler tells the story of how three women in particular were scammed by one Simon Leviev, who posed as a wealthy diamond man. Starting with Cecilie Fjellhøy, who swiped right on Leviev, the movie depicts the painstakingly deliberate steps by which the con unfolds. Despite being a social media "expert," Cecilie was still swept off her feet. In the turning point — the same one used for every victim — Leviev sends pictures of his "bodyguard," badly beaten and bloody, claiming that he has "enemies" after him. At this point, Cecilie trusted him well enough to open an American Express account and began wiring him money; he used this money to finance his next victim. Throughout her reportage, Morris doesn't judge any of the victims, but rather outlines, terrifyingly, how easily it could happen to virtually anyone. Leviev is still at large, but subsequently has been banned from Tinder.