The Tinder Swindler to Celebs Go Dating: Cecilie Fjellhøy searches for love

Image source, E4 By Bonnie McLaren Newsbeat press reporter If you’re a routine Netflix watcher or dating app user, you may acknowledge Cecilie Fjellhøy. She was among the unfortunate stars of The Tinder Swindler – the streaming giant’s hit documentary about scammer Simon Leviev. Cecilie is among the ladies who states Leviev – genuine name Shimon Hayut – impersonated a rich beneficiary to deceive them out of countless pounds. 5 years on, the 34- year-old is all set to discover love once again. This time she’s appearing on Celebs Go Dating, a program where a cast of stars – frequently from truth television like Love Island and The Only Way Is Essex – go on dates with non-celebrities. “I do not seem like a celebrity, I do not desire individuals to believe that I take a look at myself as a celebrity,” states Cecilie, speaking at the series launch. “But I truly value that my face is in fact understood all over the world,” she informs Newsbeat. “And I’m blessed that I’m able to do Celebs Go Dating and reveal a various side to me.” After sharing her experience, Cecilie is possibly more positive about dating than you may anticipate. Image source, E4 Image caption, Cecilie appears in Celebs Go Dating together with stars from TOWIE and Love Island – and there’s 80 s popstar Sinitta “Dating for me has actually constantly been enjoyable. And I constantly attempt to continue to have a good time with it,” she states. Superstars Go Dating is opening her eyes “to brand-new things”, she states, prior to joking: “Because I’m understood for selecting bad individuals.” And yes, she even states she’s back on Tinder. “I never ever took a look at Tinder as the one to be blamed for what took place to me due to the fact that I satisfied him in reality,” she states. “But I believe I went a bit too fast back on the apps.” Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Fellow Tinder Swindler star Pernilla Sjoholm and Cecilie (ideal) are now buddies following their experience Following The Tinder Swindler’s release, Cecilie got a mostly supportive response from audiences, however she was likewise subjected to misogynistic remarks. She states some in the incel motion – guys who describe themselves as involuntarily celibate – identified her a “gold digger”, and believed she should have to be scammed. Cecilie’s anticipating some reaction to her dating program look too. “Trolling constantly occurs – I’ve found out not to read it,” she states. “I believe it’s essential to shine a light on those remarks. “All of these kind of things can be hazardous. It’s enjoyable to laugh about it, however it can be unsafe in the long run.” Cecilie projects for more awareness surrounding love scams – and she states she desires customized training for cops and health care expert so victims can feel much better supported. She likewise wishes to assist eliminate a few of the preconception surrounding frauds, so individuals feel less embarrassed about grabbing assistance if they are victims. And she states it’s “frustrating” that Leviev is a totally free guy. Image source, NTB Scanpix/ Alamy Stock Photo Image caption, Simon Leviev, imagined after his 2019 arrest in Greece, was launched from an Israeli prison after 5 months “My main point was never ever to end up being a star, it was to get him in prison and keep individuals secured from individuals like him,” she states. In 2019, Leviev was founded guilty of 4 charges of scams – unassociated to Cecilie’s accusations – and sentenced to 15 months in jail, however he was launched after serving just 5 months. Leviev informed BBC Newsbeat he highly rejected the allegations in The Tinder Swindler. He’s still based in Israel – and Cecilie states she suddenly saw him in a beach club in Tel Aviv. “I simply took a look at him and he took a look at me – I simply provided him a little wave and after that that’s it,” she states. “I’m not frightened of him. A lot of individuals are, however he can’t injure me any longer. “It’s really frustrating seeing him out and about.” Leviev declares he reported Cecilie’s Tel Aviv see to Israeli authorities and implicated her of bugging him. He was sentenced in Finland in 2015 for defrauding 3 females. ‘Red flags’ Cecilie states she still gets DMs from a variety of individuals, young and old, sharing their stories of love scams. She does have suggestions to share if you believe you’re being scammed. “If you’re believing or questioning, connect to either household, buddies, inform them about what you’re experiencing,” she states. She encourages calling the bank as “they’re not your opponent”. “The thing is that with scams, you do not understand warnings when they’re occurring,” she states, “And that’s why it’s hazardous. And when you understand you’ve been defrauded: go to the authorities, go to your bank.” Superstars Go Dating airs on E4 from 28 November. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12: 45 and 17: 45 weekdays – or listen back here.
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