Who Is Anna Sorokin? The Fake Heiress Dubbed the 'Soho Grifter'

[candrew]

https://time-com.cdn.ampproject.org/...rokin-trial%2F

"Anna Sorokin, 28, who was known among New York’s art and party crowd as Anna Delvey from 2013 to 2017, traveled all over the world and lived in expensive hotel rooms before she was arrested in October 2017 and jailed at Rikers Island. Sorokin’s case and extraordinary story of alleged grifting came to widespread attention following the publication of two prominent stories in New York Magazine and Vanity Fair in 2018. Both pieces highlighted the lengths to which Sorokin allegedly went to convince people, from close friends to banks and financial institutions, that she was a rich heiress with an endless well of money.

Jeffrey Chabrowe, a former prosecutor in New York City, says the city “is somewhat obsessed” with Sorokin.

“She’s so brazen,” he tells TIME. “You don’t have a lot of 28-year-old female defendants who are attractive, who are able to successfully swindle a number of high-end financial institutions. She has unique appeal.”

Sorokin, who left behind a trail of confused and betrayed friends with her mirage of a rich life, fits right into the current cultural fascination with figures whose stories turn out way too good to be true."

There is a seemingly endless supply of celebrity obsession in U.S. culture that allows grifters like Anna Sorkin to bilk individuals and financial institutions out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. One could also argue that the only difference between being a "grifter" and an "influencer" is the number of followers one has on social media.

[footenote]

See also Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos.

(If you're intrigued by Sorkin/Delvey's story, the New York Mag and Vanity Fair pieces are fascinating if you have a sub or have not reached your monthly free limit.)

[Aerides]

See also Clark Rockefeller.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by candrew There is a seemingly endless supply of celebrity obsession in U.S. culture that allows grifters like Anna Sorkin to bilk individuals and financial institutions out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. One could also argue that the only difference between being a "grifter" and an "influencer" is the number of followers one has on social media.

Hmmmm - well I would never be a victim as I don't share that obsession.

I guess I don't really care about folks who are into "influencers" and tolerate grifters for some weird social reason.

I wish I had the time back that I watched the "documentary" series about the stupid concert on the island (Fyre Festival).

[JoeWras]

Quote from the article:

Quote:

“Anna had to fake it until she could make it,” he said.

I've seen the same quote used with the Holmes situation.

One could say it is a new trend, but it is not. 30 years ago I met one particularly unsavory character when I lived in Florida who was playing a similar game on a lessor scale.

And of course, this kind of fakery has gone on for millennia. The difference now is it plays out through social media so it is more visible.