Anna Sorokin

Anna Sorokin. A German con artist and fraudster who, under the alias Anna Delvey, posed as a wealthy German heiress to defraud New York City's financial and social elite between 2013 and 2017. Her scheme, which involved forging financial documents and fabricating an immense trust fund, successfully deceived major banks, luxury hotels, and prominent individuals to fund an extravagant lifestyle. Sorokin's story garnered international media attention, inspiring articles, a Netflix series, and widespread discussion about identity, wealth, and ambition.

Early life and background

Anna Vadimovna Sorokina was born in Domodedovo, near Moscow, in the former Soviet Union. Her family, including her father Vadim, a former truck driver who later became a business owner, and her mother, relocated to Eschweiler, Germany, when she was around 16 years old. After attending a Gymnasium, she enrolled at the London College of Fashion but did not complete her studies. She subsequently completed an internship at *Purple* magazine in Berlin before moving to Paris for a fashion public relations position. It was during this period in Europe that she began cultivating the persona of Anna Delvey, a persona she would fully deploy upon her move to New York City in 2013.

The fraud scheme

Posing as Anna Delvey, a German heiress with a €60 million trust fund, Sorokin infiltrated the high society of Manhattan. Her fraud involved a multi-pronged approach of forging bank statements and falsifying letters from financial institutions to secure loans and credit. She targeted prestigious entities, including convincing Fortress Investment Group to grant her a $22 million loan for a planned arts foundation, the Anna Delvey Foundation, and defrauding several high-end hotels like the 11 Howard and the Beekman Hotel. Sorokin also deceived friends and associates, such as Rachel DeLoache Williams, a former photo editor for *Vanity Fair*, by charging lavish expenses to them during a trip to Morocco. Her activities were facilitated by exploiting the culture of exclusivity at private clubs like the Soho House and the allure of the contemporary art world.

Arrest, trial, and conviction

Sorokin's scheme unraveled in 2017 when she failed to pay substantial hotel bills, leading to her arrest by the New York City Police Department. She was indicted on multiple charges, including grand larceny and theft of services. Her trial in New York State Supreme Court in 2019 became a media spectacle, noted for her curated courtroom attire and detailed coverage by outlets like The New York Times. Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's office presented evidence of her forged documents and fraudulent applications. She was ultimately convicted on eight of ten counts, including charges related to defrauding City National Bank and the hotels. In May 2019, Judge Diane Kiesel sentenced her to 4 to 12 years in state prison, ordered restitution, and fined her.

Media portrayal and cultural impact

The extensive coverage of Sorokin's trial by publications like *New York* magazine and The Cut catalyzed her transformation into a cultural figure. Her story was the subject of a 2018 article in *New York* magazine by Jessica Pressler, which later inspired the Netflix miniseries Inventing Anna, created by Shonda Rhimes and produced by Shondaland. The series, which starred Julia Garner, sparked widespread debate about celebrity, scandal, and the ethics of storytelling. Sorokin's image and narrative have been analyzed in contexts ranging from feminism to critiques of capitalism, and her persona has been referenced across various media, including television and podcasts.

Post-conviction events and status

After serving over three years, including time at the Albany Correctional Facility, Sorokin was released on parole in February 2021. However, she was immediately taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying her visa. She remained in detention at facilities including the Orange County Correctional Facility in Goshen, fighting deportation to Germany. During her detention, she engaged in various projects, including selling her artwork. In October 2022, she was released from ICE custody under strict conditions, including ankle monitoring and a ban from social media. As of 2023, she remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings related to her immigration status and continues to be a subject of public fascination.

Category:German fraudsters Category:1991 births Category:Living people