Cecilie Fjellhøy: From Tinder Swindler Victim to Fraud Prevention Advocate and Entrepreneur
Cecilie Fjellhøy is a name that has gained significant recognition in recent years, particularly after her involvement in one of the most notorious online dating scams in history. Known for her role as a victim in the infamous Tinder Swindler documentary on Netflix, Cecilie has transformed her traumatic experience into a platform for advocacy. Today, she is a prominent public speaker on fraud prevention, resilience, and recovery, and a co-founder of LoveSaid CIC. In this article, we delve into Cecilie’s journey, her advocacy work, her personal life, and her professional achievements. We also address common questions related to her net worth, Netflix payment, and more.
Who is Cecilie Fjellhøy?
Cecilie Fjellhøy is a Norwegian-born public speaker, entrepreneur, and expert on fraud detection. She gained international attention as one of the victims of Simon Leviev (Shimon Hayut), the man behind the Tinder Swindler scandal. Leviev conned multiple women out of large sums of money by pretending to be a wealthy heir to a diamond fortune. However, Cecilie’s story, which was featured in the Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler, turned her into a symbol of resilience and recovery.
Cecilie Fjellhøy’s Age and Background
Cecilie Fjellhøy was born in Norway and is currently in her 30s. She studied at the Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Computer Science. She later pursued a Master’s degree in Digital Experience Design at Hyper Island in Manchester, England. Cecilie has always had a strong interest in technology, design, and innovation, which led her to a career in UX (User Experience) design before her personal life took a dramatic turn.
The Tinder Swindler Incident: Cecilie Fjellhøy and Simon Leviev
In 2018, Cecilie met Simon Leviev on the popular dating app Tinder. He quickly charmed her with his apparent wealth, luxury lifestyle, and promises of a fairy-tale romance. However, as the relationship progressed, Leviev began to manipulate Cecilie emotionally and financially. He convinced her that he was in danger due to enemies in his “business,” leading her to borrow large sums of money to “help” him. Cecilie was one of many women who fell for Leviev’s deceitful tactics.
When the truth was eventually uncovered, Leviev had defrauded Cecilie and other women out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He was arrested in 2019 and later sentenced for his crimes, but not before causing significant financial and emotional damage to the victims. Cecilie was left with a mountain of debt, but she chose to use her experience to empower others.
Cecilie Fjellhøy’s Advocacy and Public Speaking Career
Since the release of The Tinder Swindler documentary, Cecilie has become an outspoken advocate for fraud victims and has worked tirelessly to change the narrative surrounding fraud and its victims. She is now a sought-after public speaker, focusing on topics such as fraud prevention, resilience, and recovery. She has spoken at various conferences, including the Nordic Fraud Conference, TOP CEO Dubai, and Cyberweek Tel Aviv. Her clients include large corporations like NatWest, Lloyds, Experian, and the UK Home Office.
Cecilie’s speeches emphasize the emotional and psychological toll of fraud, as well as the need for better systems to protect individuals from similar scams. She has made it her mission to help others who have experienced fraud and to raise awareness about the growing threat of online scams, especially those involving dating apps.
LoveSaid CIC: A Platform for Fraud Victims
In 2023, Cecilie co-founded LoveSaid CIC, a community interest company dedicated to helping fraud victims recover and rebuild their lives. LoveSaid focuses on providing education, support, and resources to those who have been scammed. It also works on initiatives aimed at preventing fraud and creating safer online spaces for individuals to connect.
The organization’s mission is to empower people, particularly women, who have fallen victim to financial scams. Through LoveSaid, Cecilie continues her advocacy work, offering a lifeline to individuals who may feel isolated and helpless after experiencing fraud.
Cecilie Fjellhøy’s Net Worth
While it is difficult to pinpoint Cecilie Fjellhøy’s exact net worth, her career as a public speaker and co-founder of LoveSaid CIC has likely contributed significantly to her income. In addition to her speaking engagements and advocacy work, Cecilie also worked as a Senior UX Designer at Sopra Steria, where she contributed to major projects in digital innovation.
Her involvement in the Netflix documentary, The Tinder Swindler, has further increased her public profile, but it is important to note that she did not receive a substantial fee from Netflix for her appearance. Many fans and followers have speculated about how much Netflix paid Cecilie Fjellhøy, but she has been transparent about the fact that her involvement in the documentary was not financially motivated. Instead, it was a way for her to share her story and raise awareness about fraud.
How Much Did Netflix Pay Cecilie Fjellhøy?
The financial arrangements behind the documentary The Tinder Swindler have been a topic of speculation. While the documentary featured Cecilie as one of the key victims, it is not clear how much she was paid by Netflix. In interviews, Cecilie has mentioned that her primary goal was not financial gain but rather to help others who might be at risk of falling victim to similar scams. She has also expressed her desire to ensure that the story was told accurately and respectfully.
Cecilie Fjellhøy’s Personal Life: Boyfriend and Relationship Status
While Cecilie has become a public figure, she has maintained a level of privacy about her personal life, particularly her romantic relationships. It is known that her experience with Simon Leviev had a significant impact on her perception of trust and relationships, but as of now, Cecilie has not publicly shared details about her current boyfriend or relationship status.
Her focus remains on her advocacy work, and she continues to encourage people to be more vigilant in their online interactions. She has also shared how important it is for victims of fraud to reclaim their sense of self-worth and not let their experiences define their futures.
Is Cecilie Fjellhøy Still in Debt?
After the events involving Simon Leviev, Cecilie was left in significant debt due to the money she borrowed for him. However, in the years following the scandal, Cecilie has worked hard to recover from the financial and emotional toll the scam took on her. She has not publicly disclosed whether she is still in debt, but it is clear that her advocacy work, speaking engagements, and co-founding LoveSaid CIC have been part of her recovery process.
Cecilie Fjellhøy’s Gofundme: How She Got Her Money Back
Following the release of The Tinder Swindler, Cecilie started a GoFundMe campaign to help with the financial burden caused by the scam. While the funds raised were instrumental in her recovery, they were not enough to cover the full extent of her losses. Nonetheless, the GoFundMe campaign helped Cecilie regain control of her finances and inspired many others to support her journey.
Conclusion
Cecilie Fjellhøy’s story is one of courage, resilience, and transformation. From a victim of one of the most high-profile frauds of the decade to a leading voice in fraud prevention, she has used her experience to make a positive impact on the world. As a public speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate, Cecilie is dedicated to helping others who have been affected by fraud and raising awareness about online scams. Her journey continues to inspire and empower individuals around the world.
