Anna Sorokin, under the guise of Anna Delvey, orchestrated an elaborate scam that involved deceiving New York’s elite, financial institutions, and her friends. Here’s a detailed breakdown of her fraudulent activities:
How the Scam Worked:
- Identity Fabrication:
- Sorokin adopted the persona of Anna Delvey, a wealthy German heiress with a trust fund in Germany. This fabricated background allowed her to gain access to exclusive social circles and events.
- Hotel and Lifestyle Fraud:
- Sorokin stayed at luxury hotels, such as the 11 Howard hotel, without paying. She would use fake wire transfer confirmations and promise payment that never materialized. Hotel staff and management were often convinced by her apparent wealth and connections.
- Bank and Loan Fraud:
- Sorokin attempted to secure a $22 million loan to fund a private arts club she wanted to open called the Anna Delvey Foundation. She presented false financial documents and bank statements to support her claims of wealth. She managed to convince some banks to give her advances and loans based on her fabricated financial status.
- Friendship Exploitation:
- Sorokin befriended several influential and wealthy individuals, convincing them to pay for her expenses with the promise of reimbursement. One notable instance was a trip to Morocco with friends, including Rachel DeLoache Williams, where she left them with a $62,000 bill that she never paid.
- Check Fraud:
- Sorokin deposited fraudulent checks into her accounts, which temporarily allowed her to withdraw large sums of money before the checks bounced.
Key Events Leading to Her Downfall:
- Mounting Unpaid Bills:
- Sorokin’s unpaid hotel bills and other expenses began to catch up with her. Several businesses and individuals she scammed started to demand payment and report her to the authorities.
- Investigation and Arrest:
- New York Magazine published an article detailing Sorokin’s scams, bringing significant public attention to her case. Eventually, the police arrested her in October 2017.
- Trial and Conviction:
- In April 2019, Sorokin was convicted of multiple counts of theft and grand larceny. She was sentenced to 4-12 years in prison, fined $24,000, and ordered to pay restitution of about $199,000.
Aftermath:
- Media Attention:
- Sorokin’s story attracted widespread media attention, leading to the Netflix series “Inventing Anna” and several articles and books about her exploits.
- Public Perception:
- Sorokin’s case sparked discussions about the nature of deception, ambition, and the social dynamics of wealth and status. Some viewed her as a cunning criminal, while others saw her as a symbol of the flaws in the system that allowed her to thrive for so long.
- Release and Future Plans:
- Sorokin was released from prison in February 2021 for good behavior but was taken into ICE custody for overstaying her visa. She continues to be a controversial figure, with plans to capitalize on her notoriety through various media projects.
Sorokin’s scam relied heavily on her ability to manipulate perceptions and exploit the trust of those around her. Her story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of deception and the allure of wealth and social status.
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