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Tinder Swindler to release own dating app after saying victim 'just wanted to be famous'
United Kingdom🏛️ PoliticsConservativeOverlooked by progressives9/2/2026

Tinder Swindler to release own dating app after saying victim 'just wanted to be famous'

Simon Leviev, known as 'The Tinder Swindler,' has announced plans to launch his own dating app after being banned from Tinder, the platform where he gained notoriety. Leviev was featured in a 2022 Netflix documentary that exposed his alleged scam of six women, during which he claimed to be a wealthy heir and manipulated them into giving away large sums of money. Although he was convicted of theft, fraud, and document forgery in 2019 and served a 15-month sentence in Israel, he has shown no remorse for his actions. Leviev has dismissed his victims' experiences, calling one woman's motivation 'just wanting to be famous' and referring to another as having 'hooked up.' Despite his criminal past, he appears satisfied with the attention generated by the documentary and believes it benefited both himself and his former victims.

A man accused of running a sophisticated mobile phone scam using falsified Royal Mail communications has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison. The defendant, Mohammed Faiyaz Iqbal, 43, from Preston, Lancashire, was arrested after police intercepted him while operating a device capable of mass texting, known as an SMS blaster, at the Trafford Centre in Manchester. Iqbal targeted local mobile phone users with deceptive messages appearing to originate from Royal Mail. These messages falsely claimed that parcels had not been delivered due to no one being home and urged recipients to rearrange delivery via a fraudulent website. Recipients were often prompted to provide payment and personal information, believing they were interacting with a legitimate service. His tactics relied on advanced technology designed to bypass standard anti-spam measures, allowing him to reach numerous individuals simultaneously without prior contact details. The arrest occurred on May 24, 2024, when officers became suspicious of the high volume of suspicious texts originating from the vicinity. During a routine stop, police discovered Iqbal operating a custom-built SMS blaster system inside his van. The device was concealed within wooden panels and featured components such as power supplies, Wi-Fi modules, and aerials integrated into the vehicle’s roof. This setup enabled the system to function as a rogue mobile antenna, transmitting spam messages directly to nearby devices while evading conventional telecom security protocols. Upon inspection, law enforcement found multiple mobile phones in the van’s front compartment, all linked to stolen financial data. A total of 7,859 compromised payment card details were recovered from these devices. Further searches at Iqbal’s residence revealed additional illicit financial records and three forged UK driving licenses. These documents were allegedly used to establish fake bank accounts for laundering proceeds from his fraudulent activities. Iqbal pleaded guilty to five charges including fraud by false representation, possession of items for fraudulent purposes, acquisition of criminal property, possession of false identification, and unauthorized use of wireless telegraphy equipment. His sentencing followed a coordinated effort by City of London Police, who noted this was the first known instance in the UK of an SMS blaster being identified during a criminal investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Little of the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit emphasized the growing complexity of modern fraud schemes. He stated that the discovery of the SMS blaster marked a critical moment in addressing new threats that exploit technological loopholes. The police department reiterated their commitment to collaborating with banks and telecom providers to detect and prosecute such crimes effectively. The case highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal methods, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations through digital means. As technology evolves, so too do the strategies employed by those intent on exploiting it for illegal gain. Authorities remain vigilant, working to stay ahead of these developments and protect consumers from similar scams.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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2 reports

Daily Mail logoDaily MailIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 759/1/2026
Man who spammed mobile phone customers with sophisticated Royal Mail scam jailed

A man named Mohammed Faiyaz Iqbal, 43, was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for running a sophisticated mobile phone scam impersonating Royal Mail. He used an 'SMS blaster,' a device designed to bypass anti-spam protections, to send mass text messages to nearby phone users, attempting to trick them into revealing personal and financial information. The scam typically included messages claiming a delivery had been missed and directing victims to a fake website for redelivery arrangements. Iqbal was arrested after police discovered the SMS blaster hidden in his van during a search at the Trafford Centre in Manchester. This case marks the first known instance in the UK where such technology was uncovered during a criminal investigation.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a criminal conviction related to a scam involving impersonation of a national institution (Royal Mail). It provides factual details about the crime, the method used, and the legal outcome without apparent ideological framing or biased language. There is no mention of political

Why factuality (85): The article provides specific details about the scam, including the name of the perpetrator, the method used ('SMS blaster'), the location (Trafford Centre in Manchester), and the date of arrest (May 24 2024). These details align with what would be expected in a news report covering such an event. H

Why objectivity (75): The article uses somewhat emotive language such as 'fraudster,' 'bombarded,' and 'tricked,' which can imply judgment rather than neutrality. While the reporting is generally factual, the tone leans slightly toward condemning the actions of the individual, which reduces its overall objectivity.

Daily Mirror logoDaily MirrorIndependentConservativeFactual 80Objective 659/2/2026
Tinder Swindler to release own dating app after saying victim 'just wanted to be famous'

Simon Leviev, known as 'The Tinder Swindler,' has announced plans to launch his own dating app after being banned from Tinder, the platform where he gained notoriety. Leviev was featured in a 2022 Netflix documentary that exposed his alleged scam of six women, during which he claimed to be a wealthy heir and manipulated them into giving away large sums of money. Although he was convicted of theft, fraud, and document forgery in 2019 and served a 15-month sentence in Israel, he has shown no remorse for his actions. Leviev has dismissed his victims' experiences, calling one woman's motivation 'just wanting to be famous' and referring to another as having 'hooked up.' Despite his criminal past, he appears satisfied with the attention generated by the documentary and believes it benefited both himself and his former victims.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames Leviev's actions and statements in a way that minimizes his wrongdoing, portraying him as a victim of circumstance and highlighting his success post-scandal. It uses language that suggests his victims were partly responsible for their own situations, such as labeling one as 'just想

Why factuality (80): The article presents detailed information about Simon Leviev, including his conviction history, the Netflix documentary, and his current plans. It references specific dates and legal outcomes, which support the factual claims. However, there is a lack of independent corroboration for certain stateme

Why objectivity (65): The article exhibits clear bias in favor of Leviev’s perspective, quoting him directly and presenting his views without sufficient counterbalance. Phrases like 'shows little remorse' and descriptions of his behavior suggest a lack of neutrality. Additionally, the article frames the situation as if L

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