Convicted Romance Fraudster Plans Identity-Verified Dating App Amid Industry Opposition
Simon Leviev, known as the 'Tinder Swindler,' is launching a dating app called Safe Love featuring strict identity verification and safety features. The app requires government ID and selfie matching, with an SOS button for emergencies. Industry groups oppose the launch, urging app store bans, while Leviev argues his fraud experience makes him uniquely qualified to prevent scams.
Key points
- Simon Leviev, born Shimon Hayut, is developing a dating app named Safe Love that mandates government ID uploads and selfie verification to ensure user authenticity.
- The app includes an SOS button that records audio and video, shares location data with law enforcement, and restricts profile photos that differ from the verified selfie by more than 15%.
- Leviev, who was convicted of fraud in Finland and Israel in 2015 and 2019, compares his new venture to the career of fraud prevention specialist Frank Abagnale Jr.
- The Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA) has written to Google and Apple, urging them to ban the app from their stores, arguing that a convicted fraudster should not operate in an environment built on trust.
- Leviev states the app is in the final regulatory phase and expects release within days or weeks, dismissing industry opposition as a reaction to the product's perceived superiority.
Background
This development follows recent concerns about identity verification flaws, highlighted by a breach of 153 million driver's licenses, and a broader Gen Z trend away from traditional dating apps due to burnout. Previous cases, such as the fake 49ers scam, have led to legal restrictions on dating app access for accused fraudsters, underscoring the industry's focus on safety and accountability.
Why it matters
The potential launch of a dating app by a convicted romance fraudster raises critical questions about trust, safety, and the effectiveness of identity verification in online dating. It highlights the tension between leveraging insider knowledge to prevent fraud and the ethical concerns of allowing a known offender to operate in a vulnerable environment.
What to watch
The Online Dating and Discovery Association will monitor the response from Google and Apple regarding the app store ban request. Leviev aims to complete the regulatory phase and launch Safe Love within the next few weeks, while industry stakeholders will assess the app's safety features and potential risks.
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