Love Con Revenge, which premiered on Netflix on Sept. 5, 2025, offers a unique take on true crime by focusing on the victims themselves. The docuseries centers on Cecilie Fjellhøy, a victim who becomes an advocate for justice, as she partners with experienced private investigator Brianne Joseph to expose real-world romance scams. They aim to help others recover emotionally and financially from these manipulative cons.

This docuseries feels urgent and personal for modern daters but doesn’t rely on dramatized reenactments. It centers raw, real-time investigations and the often devastating emotional fallout that comes after betrayal. Since its release, viewers have been drawn to the part exposé, part healing journey narrative that has graced their screens. But it has prompted a big question: Is Love Con Revenge real? Here’s what we know about the new Netflix release. 

Who is Cecilie Fjellhøy?

Cecilie Fjellhøy is a Norwegian expat who moved to London in the late 2010s for her Master’s degree. This move was a huge transition as she navigated her young professional life while trying to hustle in the big city. But things changed when she matched with Simon Leviev on Tinder. At first, it all seemed to be destined, leading her to a fairytale romance.

In the end, Fjellhøy’s “prince charming” turned out to be a manipulative scammer. Things spiraled into a nightmare of lies, private jets and lavish dates. Ultimately, she ended up being defrauded of $250,000. Yet in the grand scheme of things, she got off somewhat easy since Simon, whose real name is Shimon Hayut, scammed about $10 million from his victims collectively, per Cosmopolitan. This staggering sum imposed severe financial and mental drain on Fjellhøy, which is why she’s so passionate about the work she does on Love Con Revenge.

After the ordeal with Hayut, this huge betrayal forced Fjellhøy into psychiatric care. She struggled to grapple with the emotional toll of being duped. But instead of retreating, she used The Tinder Swindler documentary as a springboard to become a voice for other victims. Her openness about her experience basically changed her outlook on life, evolving from a victim to an outspoken advocate. 

As she shares with Cosmopolitan, “There are so many long-term consequences to romance fraud that people aren’t always immediately aware of […] You have the mental health aspect, the lack of support and the heavy burden of self-blame. You lose your confidence, as well as your trust in yourself and your instincts. You ask: ‘Am I worthy of love again?’ You’re battling all these things on top of financial destruction.” This point of view has shed light on how common romance scams are. They do not discriminate – even the most educated people can fall victim to some pretty well-crafted schemes.  

What is Fjellhøy up to since ‘The Tinder Swindler’?

Since her initial appearance in The Tinder Swindler in 2022, Cecilie Fjellhøy has faced a lot. Aside from some viewers reacting with a boatload of empathy, there have been others spewing unkind criticism online. Some even pointed fingers and claimed she was naive. But still, she persevered and let her story spark widespread debate about online scams. 

Per Cosmopolitan, Fjellhøy reflects on the general cultural outlook on her (and other women’s) experiences, “We didn’t ‘give our money away,’ someone stole our money from us. It was tough to be trolled, but it made it all the more important that I continued to fight for myself and others. Fraud is a societal issue, so we [need to] come together and look at it as a crime.”

Since she has become vocal, the ordeal has brought about a broader conversation about the stigma surrounding victimhood and resilience. But she hasn’t let that stop her from making a positive impact. Now, in Love Con Revenge, Fjellhøy has paired up with private investigator Brianne Joseph, who has over 15 years of investigative experience and mastery. Together they confront romance scammers head on and bring justice when it’s long overdue.

As many viewers have cited, watching Fjellhøy in action is incredibly empowering. They dig into cases that mirror her experiences and use her lived insight as a cautionary tale and a blueprint for change. At the end of the day, their partnership for the show is truly compelling since it’s not just about catching scammers. It takes things a step further than shows like Catfish. Instead it helps survivors rebuild their confidence in dating, reclaim lost money when at all possible and know that they are not alone in their struggle.

Is ‘Love Con Revenge’ scripted?

Viewers who are interested in the new Netflix release can rest assured that it’s not gimmicky or scripted, despite some feedback from viewers claiming its scripted nature. It is a full documentary-style series built on real cases, victims and investigative processes, as Tudum reports. On-screen, Cecilie and Brianne follow some leads, uncover the truth for victims and spotlight how these scams are orchestrated, step by brutal step.

What makes the series gripping is how emotionally transparent people are about their perceived happy ending. Viewers witness the heartbreak, anxiety and shattered trust that occurs, but they also get a feel for the strength that emerges. Love Con Revenge educates its audience on red flags like love bombing, future faking and emergency ploys. These are the holy grail of manipulation tactics. Love bombing is an intense declaration of affection early on. Then there is future-faking, which is when scammers will spin stories of marriage and children to build trust and emotional dependence. 

So once the hook is set and a fictional crisis is manufactured, victims are pressured into sending money to help the person they are being romanced by. And all of these are tools used by manipulators to get what they want, access and money. The show educates and warns of these tactics so that audiences can better recognize red flags before they escalate into devastating consequences. But overall, the show underscores how being conned is not a sign of weakness but proof of just how sophisticated these schemes are.  

‘Love Con Revenge’ review

Love Con Revenge earns pretty high marks for balancing some heavy-hitting emotional stories with investigative rigor. Cecilie Fjellhøy’s journey certainly propels the episodes since she herself went through scams of a romantic nature. This, combined with Joseph’s sharp eye for detail, allows the show to offer empathy and insight.

Still, the emotional toll is intense. The series delves deeply into trauma, shame and the painstaking work of reclaiming confidence and justice. Yet it is precisely this raw authenticity that makes it so essential; it is a showcase of survival, community and finding a renewed purpose. As Decider describes, reviews are mixed on the release. Some of the series comes off as fabricated or planned. So true crime lovers may have to stream the docuseries to get a good feel for the content. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Tinder Swindler worth watching?

The Tinder Swindler has become a global sensation due to its intrigue and scandal. With around 166 million viewing hours just a month after its release, it surely has been a must-watch. 

Who produced The Tinder Swindler?

Netflix produced the Tinder Swindler, as a part of its growing true crime documentary lineup.