Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, is a Russian-born con artist who gained notoriety in the media for posing as a wealthy socialite in New York City. She was born on January 23, 1991, in Russia, and grew up in a middle-class family in Germany before moving to the United States in 2013.
Early Life and Career:
Sorokin moved to New York City in 2013 and soon began posing as a wealthy German heiress named Anna Delvey. She claimed to have a trust fund worth millions of dollars and began frequenting high-end restaurants, hotels, and art galleries in the city, making friends with influential figures in the art and fashion world.
She used her newfound social status to launch a series of business ventures, including a private club and a foundation to support young artists. However, it was later revealed that she had no source of income and was funding her lavish lifestyle through a series of fraudulent schemes.
Con Artist and Criminal Charges:
Anna Sorokin’s web of lies began to unravel in 2017 when she failed to pay a $30,000 hotel bill at the trendy 11 Howard hotel in Manhattan. She was later arrested and charged with multiple counts of grand larceny and theft of services.
During her trial, it was revealed that Sorokin had swindled nearly $275,000 from various businesses and individuals in New York City, including banks, hotels, and wealthy friends. She had also lied to her lawyer and friends about having a trust fund and had even hired a personal trainer and taken a trip to Morocco on a friend’s credit card.
In 2019, Sorokin was found guilty of multiple charges and sentenced to four to 12 years in prison. She was also ordered to pay restitution of over $200,000 to her victims.
Media Attention and Cultural Impact:
Anna Sorokin’s case received widespread media attention, and her story was covered by numerous outlets, including The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Netflix’s documentary series, “Bad Blood: The Delvey Scam.”
Her case sparked debates about wealth, privilege, and the criminal justice system, and her persona as a young, glamorous con artist became a cultural sensation. Her story also inspired a book deal and a forthcoming TV series.
Conclusion:
Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, gained notoriety for posing as a wealthy socialite in New York City and defrauding businesses and individuals out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Her case received widespread media attention and sparked debates about wealth, privilege, and the criminal justice system. While Sorokin’s actions were criminal and damaging to her victims, her story has had a cultural impact and will likely continue to fascinate people for years to come.
