The Tinder Swindler: How To Avoid Being Scammed While Dating
If you never heard about TheTinder Swindler, then you may be living under a rock. TheTinder Swindler is a Netflix docuseries about Simon Leviev and the women who all claimed to have been scammed by the charismatic gentleman. These women met Simon on the dating app Tinder where (spoiler alert) he allegedly posed as a wealthy businessman that came from a family who owned a diamond company (he denied that he was an heir of a diamond company in an interview with Inside Edition).
However, over time, the women that he was dating claimed that he defrauded them out of an estimated $10 million following various schemes. One of the women, Ayleen, had the idea to get back at Simon and she put together a plan that would eventually lead to him being caught.
He was convicted of fraud, theft, and forgery and he served five months out of the 15 he was sentenced to in an Israeli prison in 2019. Since the documentary has come out Simon has denied the allegations on his YouTube page with his new girlfriend by his side.
"I was just a single guy that wanted to meet some girls on Tinder,” he said. "I'm not a Tinder swindler."
The documentary also sparked a lot of conversations on social media.
After dating me for a month and telling me he’s in danger and needs money, the tinder swindler would’ve been shocked when I said “that’s crazy, what you gonna do?”
— janet & brandy’s child 🇩🇲 (@LunaJay___) February 17, 2022
everyone saying “could never be me” about the Tinder Swindler as if we all haven’t date a broke man who is a pathological liar
— abby govindan (@abbygov) February 15, 2022
The last tweet resonates with many daters, but there are ways to protect yourself. Here are a few tips to help you avoid falling victim to a Tinder swindler (Hinge, IG DMs, IRL.)
Do Your Googles
We may not always do it, but it is best practice to Google the person you’re dating or getting to know. Also, check out their social media pages. While their dating profile may show them one way, their social media pages a lot of times will show you if the person you’re entertaining is actually real.
Don’t Overshare
When you first begin dating someone, you never want to share too much personal information about yourself especially if they share so little. Yes, you may be excited and nervous, which may cause you to overshare, but it’s best to tone it down and be aware. If they’re not willing to open up, there’s a huge possibility that they are hiding something.
Love Bombing
The term 'love bombing' has been brought up a lot lately, but what does it really mean? Love bombing is a manipulative tactic used to control you by 'bombing' you with overt affection, gifts, and compliments early on in dating to rush the relationship. The ultimate goal is to make you feel obligated to the love-bomber and for the love-bomber to be in control. It’s a major red flag, so if you experience it, run!
Too Good to Be True
A lot of the women in The Tinder Swindler doc shared how they were whisked away by Simon with private jets and luxury hotels at the beginning dating stage, which all seemed too good to be true. Nine times out of 10, if it feels too good to be true, it probably is. Always trust your instincts as they will never steer you wrong.
Question Frequent Canceling
If you and the person you’re entertaining always make plans to see each other but they keep on canceling, then hang it up. No matter how fine they are or how nice they seem to be, their frequent cancellations are a clear sign that they’re hiding something or they don’t value you in that way. Overall, it’s a no.
Don’t Lend Money
Last, but certainly not least. Don’t ever, ever, ever give money to someone you just met especially if you’ve never met them IRL. Just like Simon in The Tinder Swindler, people will come up with elaborate schemes just to trick others into giving them money. Don’t take out a loan, don’t let them use your credit card, debit card, or put anything in your name. If someone you’re dating starts asking you for money, block them.
Featured image by Getty Images
This post is in partnership with BET+.
Kingdom Business is back for its second season, with even more sermons, songs, and serpents. The series picks up where it left off, with actress Serayah as Rbel caught between the stripper pole and the pulpit. With the first lady of the church working desperately against her, Rbel must find a way to live her dreams and honor her friend while figuring out her faith in the process.
Season one served a collection plate of rivalry, deceit, and revenge –– among many other tribulations. Between the 28-year-old’s acting, conviction, and harmonious voice, here are a few reasons why season two of Kingdom Business is a must-watch.
If the Spirit Doesn’t Move You, Serayah’s Singing Voice Will
Rbel, formally known as Rebecca Belle, is a stripper whose life forcibly takes a turn after suffering a tragedy. Through her quest to find the truth, Rbel finds herself at odds with the head of a local church, First Kingdom’s Denita Jordan, played by the legendary Yolanda Adams. Rbel unknowingly emerges as what a faithful Christian embodies: a perfectly imperfect human who works every day to try their best while leaning on God. Although struggling with her faith, each ballad sung by Rbel can be felt, as the lyrics relate to personal struggles we all endure in different ways. Gospel songs hit differently when your life is in shambles, and chile, Serayah is singing new life into folks.
Serayah is a Formidable Opponent to The Yolanda Adams
As one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time, it’s no easy task to take on the role of a person on the opposing side of greatness. Serayah’s Rbel does an excellent job meeting Jordan at her level while shining through her solos. Throughout season one, Rbel emerges as a top streaming artist, an accomplishment that begets something of a holy war.
Serayah’s Acting Range is Engaging
As a former stripper trying to make a name for herself in the gospel industry, you can imagine the struggles that could come with it. Rbel goes through a range of emotions, all understandable and relatable. Despite several crises of faith, Serayah ensures Rbel delivers a humbling performance that makes the audience root for her redemption.
The Kingdom Business Soundtrack is Everything
Streaming now on Spotify, Tidal, and Apple Music, the Kingdom Business: Season 1 soundtrack is one you’d want to add to your playlist for high and low times. Aside from four soul-soothing songs from Serayah, the soundtrack also features singles from co-star/Hamilton’s Chaundre-Hall Broomfield, gospel artist Chandler Moore, and legend Yolanda Adams.
Serayah’s Rbel Makes You Root For Her
With First Kingdom beginning to crumble under the pressure of lies, infidelity, and deception, Rbel’s window to take that top spot seems wide open; however, the end of season one showed us the Spirit had other plans. Whether you believe or not, Serayah’s Rbel makes you want to see her win. Who doesn’t love a good underdog with a laid 22” bust down? Whether she seeks Him or not, God is proving to be on Rbel’s side. But is it enough to turn everything around for her? Will Rbel lean on faith or fear?
With secrets coming to light, success within reach, and the devastating conclusion of season one, you don’t want to miss season two––especially with more guest collaborations. Kingdom Business returns to BET+ on Nov 2.
BET+ Original | Kingdom Business | S2 Official Traileryoutu.be
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Lauren London On Changing Her Mindset Around Money And Teaching Her 14-Year-Old Son About Abundance
Lauren London may have garnered her riches through a career in acting, but she is now more focused on sustaining wealth for generations to come. Like in some Black households, Lauren didn’t grow up learning about financial literacy. Rather, she was always in survivor’s mode, and the people around her were in similar situations. However, she never wanted to be a slave to the scarce mentality. The You People actress opened up about her relationship with money for a live taping of Assets Over Liability during Revolt World.
“I’ve had to work on my mindset around money as well and understanding that it’s an energy too. Even when I was not making enough to pay my car note and all this stuff, I always knew that if I had to put a lot of money into something, it was gonna come back,” she said.
“I never thought with a scarce mentality. I think because I grew up around a lot of people that did, it was like (gasp), steal from Peter to pay Paul, and I was like, I don’t wanna do that. Like, I know it’s gonna come somewhere, and then it would. I’ll get another job. At one point, I had three jobs.”
Now, not only is she learning about financial literacy and investing in real estate and looking to make other investments, her 14-year-old son Kameron Carter has also taken a liken to it. The mother of two revealed that Kameron, whom she shares with Lil Wayne, began taking stock classes during the pandemic and she encourages him to have an abundance mindset.
“As far as generational wealth, my son is 14, and it’s just about like his education on it. I didn’t have education on it,” she said. “My mom struggled. She was a single mom. She had three jobs, so I knew how to hustle, and I knew how to survive, so I was thinking with the mentality of survival rather than generational wealth.
She continued, “I didn’t have the mentality of abundance growing up, so I have those conversations with my son about abundance like you can have so much for so many people, not just yourself. For your kids and their kids and the community, and so we just have those conversations a lot.”
When asked what inspired him to research investing, she cited her uncle and her late partner, rapper Nipsey Hussle, who she shares her 7-year-old son Kross Asghedom with. Outside of his music, Nipsey became known for giving back to his community and speaking about investing and entrepreneurship.
Feature image by Robin L. Marshall/ Getty Images
