The arrest of the Tinder Swindler – to name a notorious fraudster – sheds light on an international system. The saga has raised questions about standards of enforcement and an understanding of what are called "Red Notices." Here is an article on the present position.

The saga of the “Tinder Swindler” – arrested this month in Georgia – highlights the use of Interpol Red Notices and the scope of cross-border policing. This has implications for those focused on issues such as money laundering, threats to clients’ welfare, and more. The author of this analysis is an expert on Interpol Red Notices. Rhys Davies (pictured below) is a barrister at Temple Garden Chambers specialising in international criminal law and international human rights law. He is the co-editor of the Red Notice monitor blog. 

Rhys Davies

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Interpol and Red Notices are back in the headlines following the arrest of Simon Leviev – the notorious "Tinder Swindler" –

 at Batumi airport in Georgia this September. Detained on an Interpol Red Notice, Leviev's case has reignited attention on international law enforcement mechanisms that can reach across borders. The convicted fraudster, whose real name is Shimon Hayut, gained international notoriety through a Netflix documentary exposing how he swindled women across Europe out millions of dollars through elaborate romance scams on dating apps.

His arrest in Georgia represents a significant development in a case that has frustrated authorities for years. Despite serving a brief sentence in Israel after being arrested in Greece in 2019, Leviev had been travelling freely across international borders, highlighting what Red Notice expert Ben Keith has identified as a critical weakness: "The problem with Red Notices is not their existence, it's enforcement. Unless countries act quickly and consistently, individuals can avoid justice almost indefinitely."

Red Notices are frequently misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, Interpol is not a global police force with officers patrolling international borders. It serves as an information-sharing hub connecting law enforcement agencies across 195 member countries.

A Red Notice is a notification circulated through Interpol's database, alerting member countries that a specific individual is wanted for criminal prosecution or to serve a sentence. These notices contain identifying information – name, date of birth, nationality, and photograph – alongside details of alleged offences. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant but simply a request from one member country seeking the location, arrest, and potential extradition of an individual.

The response to Red Notices varies significantly by jurisdiction. Some countries treat them as grounds for immediate arrest, while others view them merely as alert systems. Regardless of these differences, Red Notice issuance typically results in either arrest or severe restrictions on international travel, often triggering extradition proceedings.

The Tinder Swindler case demonstrates Interpol's legitimate and valuable function in international law enforcement. It provides a mechanism for preventing some of the world's most wanted criminals from travelling freely and assists in the international pursuit of justice. Without such systems, individuals with significant financial resources could exploit cross-border mobility to evade accountability indefinitely.

Yet it does not follow that every Red Notice subject is genuinely criminal. Often, these notices mark the beginning of lengthy processes that may lead from detention at international borders through arrest and extradition – sometimes to countries that do not respect the rule of law.

The system, while highly effective, remains vulnerable to manipulation. There is extensive documentation of abuse by authoritarian regimes targeting political opponents, dissidents, and business rivals through spurious Red Notices. These cases represent clear examples of transnational repression, where legitimate international law enforcement tools become weapons of political persecution.

For high net worth individuals, the risks extend beyond obvious political targeting. The system contains structural weaknesses that allow Red Notices to become leverage points in commercial disputes. Allegations surface during business disagreements or arbitrations, transforming civil disputes into criminal matters overnight.

Some notices are issued as pressure tactics to manipulate civil proceedings, while others represent straightforward shakedowns or retribution against successful businessmen. Wealthy individuals with cross-border business activities and complex jurisdictional issues face particular vulnerabilities.

The practical consequences of Red Notice issuance can be severe and immediate. When issued, electronic alerts automatically reach all member countries and disseminate to local law enforcement agencies. Travel becomes particularly hazardous, as border controls and immigration authorities are typically instructed to detain flagged individuals.

The risks extend beyond official checkpoints. Many countries require hotels to share guest information with local police, who cross-reference details against Interpol databases. What should be routine business travel or leisure can suddenly result in detention and extradition proceedings.

This reality makes it essential to scrutinise Red Notices – whether issued or merely threatened. Understanding the true nature of allegations, the requesting country's motivations, and the strength of underlying evidence becomes important for protecting legitimate business interests.

Despite the system's defects, engagement remains important. Ignoring Red Notices or hoping that they will disappear rarely succeeds. Instead, anyone subjected to a notice must recognise that navigating this complex landscape requires action and specialist expertise to distinguish legitimate law enforcement from abuse of international systems.

The Tinder Swindler's eventual arrest proves that the system can work – but only when we understand both its power and its vulnerabilities.