Anna Delvey, the real-life con artist and subject of Netflix’s Inventing Anna, recently made headlines for her appearance on Dancing With The Stars. Despite her short-lived stint on the show, Delvey’s controversial past continues to intrigue audiences. Here are five key facts about the scammer that you may not know:
1. **The Alias:** Anna Delvey is not her real name. Born Anna Sorokin, she adopted the persona of Anna Delvey during her rise to notoriety in Manhattan’s social scene. While she claimed that “Delvey” was her mother’s maiden name, her parents have disputed this claim. Delvey’s transformation from a Russian immigrant to a fictitious German heiress with a supposed $67 million trust fund captivated the elite circles she infiltrated.
2. **The Scams:** Delvey’s elaborate scheme involved defrauding hotels, restaurants, a private jet operator, and banks out of approximately $275,000 over a period of 10 months. She even convinced a bank employee to lend her $100,000 under false pretenses. Delvey’s audacious goal was to establish an exclusive club known as the Anna Delvey Foundation and secure $20 million in loans. Her deceptive tactics earned her the monikers of the “Soho grifter” and “Soho scammer” among Manhattan’s affluent residents.
3. **Legal Troubles:** In 2017, Delvey’s fraudulent activities caught up with her, leading to her arrest and subsequent conviction on multiple charges, including grand larceny and theft of services. She was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in prison, fined $24,000, and ordered to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution. After serving nearly four years behind bars, Delvey was released on good behavior in February 2021.
4. **Immigration Issues:** Following her release from prison, Delvey’s troubles continued as she was rearrested by ICE for overstaying her visa. Currently in ICE custody, Delvey faces the possibility of deportation to Germany. Despite her claims that the visa overstay was unintentional and beyond her control, she remains in a state of uncertainty regarding her legal status.
5. **Netflix Deal:** In a surprising turn of events, Netflix acquired the rights to Delvey’s life story for a substantial sum of $320,000. This payment enabled Delvey to make partial restitution to the banks she defrauded and settle state fines. Additionally, she allocated funds towards attorney fees, further complicating her financial situation.
Despite her brief appearance on Dancing With The Stars, Anna Delvey’s complex narrative continues to captivate audiences. From her alias to her legal woes and unexpected collaboration with Netflix, Delvey’s story serves as a cautionary tale of deception and ambition in the modern age. As she navigates the repercussions of her past actions, Delvey’s future remains uncertain, with the specter of deportation looming large.