The Tinder Swindler - Review: using your love

How do you become a victim? The new Netflix documentary, The Tinder Swindler, is about a man who says his name is Simon Leviev. He pretends to be a millionaire in Tinder's dating app.

He gains the trust of the women and then starts asking for money. He dates many women, and one pays the expenses of the other. Strange? Maybe, but it worked for a long time. Too long.

Why did you believe that man?

As soon as the story became public, many people blamed the victims. How could they be so naive? How could they not get suspicious?

When watching the documentary is pretty evident that something is wrong, but that is our perception now. We are already looking for leads that he is not who he says he is. It's easier that way. These women were involved, and psychology worked against them.

He poses as a rich man. Money is a key to safety these days. So, he makes them feel safe. He is kind, generous, and in danger. He shows himself vulnerable. Many people don't realize how being vulnerable towards someone else is the best way to be powerful. But, he did know that and built the perfect plan.

Many points were against these women. One of them was the fact that he pretended to be a millionaire. He doesn't need money, right? He is just having a momentary problem. So there is no reason for them not to believe that he would pay them back.

There was another point of significant importance: they were in love, and he was at imminent risk. They didn't have time to think (or so he made them believe).

Justice?

As annoying as it is that people still blame the victim, that's not the most revolting of this story.

What can really get to your nerves is the fact that he is still free. This man had few to zero consequences, while his victims are paying loans and drowning in debt.

If it is too good to be true… probably it isn’t

I liked the documentary very much. You may feel it a bit difficult to follow up with so much traveling, but that isn't the important part at all. Just ignore the place and focus on his actions.

It is a good warning of the elaborate schemes you may find online. Definitely worth watching.

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