Tinder Swindler Survivor Strikes Back At Instagram'S Fake Celebrities

Pernilla Sjöholm's New Mission

Pernilla Sjöholm, a name that became synonymous with the 'Tinder Swindler' saga, is now channeling her past into a mission to combat fake celebrity scams on Instagram. After enduring the deception of Simon Leviev, also known as the 'Tinder Swindler', Pernilla is determined to expose impersonators lurking on social media.

Recently, Leviev was nabbed in Georgia on an Interpol Red Notice, a moment Pernilla celebrated as a step towards justice. She expressed her gratitude to Berlin police, stating, "Thank you for doing the work that apparently no other country could do!"

Scam Survivor Turned Advocate

Pernilla's journey from victim to advocate has been nothing short of transformative. The Netflix documentary 'The Tinder Swindler' revealed how she lost tens of thousands of pounds to Leviev, who posed as a friend while lavishly spending on holidays funded by other victims. Despite the ordeal, Pernilla has turned her pain into purpose by launching IDfier, a tech business aimed at verifying identities online.

“I lost everything and felt like there was no future,” Pernilla confessed, highlighting the emotional toll of her experience.

Her story illustrates the importance of identity verification, as she now warns against relying solely on social media verification badges, which can be misleading.

Unmasking Fake Celebrities

Pernilla has uncovered numerous fake profiles on Instagram, including impersonators of celebrities like Kevin Costner. She argues that the current verification process is flawed, allowing scammers to deceive users easily. A verified badge should guarantee authenticity, but as Pernilla's findings show, it often doesn't.

Facebook and Instagram are aware of the issue and are working to improve their detection methods, having already taken action against over a billion fake accounts in 2024.

In her fight against online fraud, Pernilla emphasizes the need for widespread identity verification, making it a norm in online interactions. Her tech venture, IDfier, uses AI to ensure users are genuine, providing a reliable method of verification that could transform how we navigate digital spaces.

A New Chapter

Now married and a mother to twins, Pernilla is living her happiest days yet. Yet, she remains committed to her cause, often receiving messages from others who have been scammed. Her experience underscores the emotional damage that frauds inflict alongside financial loss.

Simon Leviev, denying any wrongdoing, accused Pernilla of lying and profiting from the situation. Nevertheless, her efforts continue to shine a light on the darker corners of social media, fighting for a safer online community.

For more updates on Pernilla's journey and the latest in tech and crime news, stay tuned to our site.