Podcast Summary: Scams, Money, & Murder – Episode: SCAM: Anna Sorokin

Title: SCAM: Anna Sorokin
Host: Nicole Lapin
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Podcast: Crime House – Scams, Money, & Murder

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Scams, Money, & Murder, host Nicole Lapin delves into the elaborate con orchestrated by Anna Sorokin, better known by her alias Anna Delvey. Portraying herself as a wealthy German heiress, Anna infiltrated New York City's elite circles, deceiving friends, hotels, and financial institutions out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. This summary captures the key points, discussions, and revelations from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview of Anna Sorokin's rise and fall.

Early Life and Ambitions

Origins in Russia and Germany

Anna Sorokin was born in 1991 in Domo Dyadova, a gray industrial suburb south of Moscow, to hardworking parents—her father a truck driver and her mother a shopkeeper. In 2007, at age 16, Anna's family moved to Eschweiler, a small blue-collar town in Germany, seeking a better life. Struggling with the language and social interactions, Anna exhibited a cruel streak, which hints at her later manipulative tendencies.

Fascination with Fashion and High Society

From a young age, Anna was obsessed with fashion, spending hours immersed in Vogue magazines, studying the lifestyles of models and socialites. Her admiration for powerful and controversial women like Marie Antoinette and Regina George from Mean Girls shaped her aspirations to abandon her ordinary life and merge into high society.

Reinvention as Anna Delvey

Move to London and Dropout

At 18, Anna left home for London to attend art school at Central St. Martin's. Dissatisfied with academic life, she dropped out within a year and returned to Germany, securing an internship at a PR firm. This experience provided her with insights into the art of perception and networking, which she would later exploit.

Paris Internship and Identity Shift

In 2013, Anna moved to Paris for an internship at Purple, a prestigious fashion magazine. With financial support from her father, she changed her name to Anna Delvey, believing it sounded more affluent and convincing. Her time in Paris solidified her commitment to infiltrating the upper echelons of society.

Establishing Presence in New York City

During New York Fashion Week, Anna convinced Purple to transfer her to their New York office. Although she was soon fired, she skillfully spun the narrative to appear as though she was pursuing her next big opportunity. This move marked her entry into New York's elite social circles.

Key Quote:

"I dropped the name Sorokin and called herself Anna Delvey. She thought it sounded expensive and important, a name people wouldn't question."
— Nicole Lapin [08:45]

Building the Illusion

Networking with Elites and Influential Figures

Anna's association with Billy McFarland, known for the infamous Fyre Festival, introduced her to a network of wealthy and influential individuals. Her presence in these circles bolstered her facade, despite lacking the charisma inherent to genuine socialites.

Luxury Lifestyle and Deceptive Practices

Anna meticulously curated her image, wearing designer clothing and displaying behaviors indicative of immense wealth. She treated staff poorly and flaunted an extravagant lifestyle to cement her status as a wealthy heiress. However, her financial stability was a complete fabrication.

Creating the Anna Delvey Foundation

Anna concocted an ambitious plan to establish the Anna Delvey Foundation, a private members-only club intended to serve as a social hub for the elite. She presented a detailed 80-page proposal to potential investors, claiming substantial personal investment and leveraging fake connections to prestigious institutions.

Key Quote:

"She was quite an expert in financial jargon. So nothing she said to investors raised any alarm bells."
— Nicole Lapin [15:30]

The Downfall Begins

Financial Struggles and Deceptive Funding

Despite her confident portrayal, Anna's financial foundation was unstable. She resorted to fraudulent activities, including depositing fake checks and withdrawing funds before they bounced. Her attempts to secure large loans through fabricated assets ultimately failed when verification processes uncovered her deceit.

Moroccan Scandal: The Breakdown of Trust

In 2017, Anna orchestrated a lavish trip to Morocco, involving her friend Rachel Williams. As expenses mounted, her credit cards declined, revealing the depth of her financial deception. Attempts to cover these expenses with nonexistent wire transfers led to significant debts and strained relationships.

Key Quote:

"Anna had thousands of Instagram followers, but almost no real friends besides her."
— Nicole Lapin [28:10]

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Confrontation and Evidence Gathering

Rachel Williams, realizing the magnitude of Anna's deceit, orchestrated a sting operation with friends to confront her. The confrontation yielded undeniable evidence of Anna's fraudulent activities, leading to her involvement with law enforcement.

Legal Battle and Conviction

Anna was charged with grand larceny, theft, and related crimes. Despite her flamboyant court appearances and rejection of plea deals, the evidence against her was overwhelming. In April 2019, she was convicted on multiple counts, resulting in a sentence of four to twelve years in prison and orders to pay substantial fines and restitution.

Key Quote:

"She wore eye-catching outfits from designers like Saint Laurent and Michael Kors and even hired a stylist to shape her look."
— Nicole Lapin [42:50]

Life Post-Incarceration

Early Release and Continued Legal Challenges

Anna was released early in February 2021 on parole for good behavior but was soon arrested by immigration authorities for overstaying her U.S. visa. Placed under house arrest pending her appeal, Anna continues to navigate the legal repercussions of her actions.

Monetizing Infamy

Leveraging her notoriety, Anna has entered various commercial ventures, including selling NFT artworks and securing rights for Netflix adaptations of her story. These endeavors provide her with funds to cover her debts and maintain her lavish lifestyle.

Future Endeavors and Public Fascination

Anna's ability to reinvent herself ensures that her story remains in the public eye. Plans for a book, documentary, and exclusive dinner clubs demonstrate her relentless pursuit of relevance and influence.

Key Quote:

"Whether that actually materializes is anyone's guess, but whatever she does, chances are you'll be hearing about Anna's next reinvention."
— Nicole Lapin [55:20]

Conclusion

Anna Sorokin's story is a compelling narrative of ambition, deception, and the allure of high society. Through unwavering confidence and meticulous planning, she managed to deceive some of New York City's most affluent individuals and institutions. However, the collapse of her elaborate façade serves as a stark reminder of the inevitable downfall that accompanies fraudulent endeavors. Nicole Lapin's exploration of Anna's schemes offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of financial crime and the vulnerabilities of social structures.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "I dropped the name Sorokin and called herself Anna Delvey. She thought it sounded expensive and important, a name people wouldn't question."
  — Nicole Lapin [08:45]

• "She was quite an expert in financial jargon. So nothing she said to investors raised any alarm bells."
  — Nicole Lapin [15:30]

• "Anna had thousands of Instagram followers, but almost no real friends besides her."
  — Nicole Lapin [28:10]

• "She wore eye-catching outfits from designers like Saint Laurent and Michael Kors and even hired a stylist to shape her look."
  — Nicole Lapin [42:50]

• "Whether that actually materializes is anyone's guess, but whatever she does, chances are you'll be hearing about Anna's next reinvention."
  — Nicole Lapin [55:20]

This summary encapsulates the intricate tale of Anna Sorokin as presented in the Scams, Money, & Murder podcast episode. For a deeper dive into the world of financial crimes and their repercussions, tuning into the full episode is highly recommended.