Huge Tip
Neffatari Davis didn’t mind working as a concierge in a Soho hotel.
But when Anna Delvey slipped a $100 bill tip in her hand, her future looked a little brighter. Little did she know it was just the start of an unbelievable string of events that would lead to prison.
New Socialite
Rumors of the long-haired, cherub-faced socialite had reached the place where Neffatari worked.
So, when the slim, fashionably dressed girl walked into the hotel, the management never asked any question – or even for a credit card number. This was the girl that had taken on the social scene by storm, and they all wanted a piece of her prosperity.
Loaded Wallet
More than once, Neffatari saw the girl flash her wallet that was brimming with high-end credit cards and a thick stack of bills.
The hotel staff would fight over who got to deliver her packages so they could get one of the $100s. Her background was also a mystery and had the social world abuzz with rumors.
Fit In Well
She was a Russian-German girl who fit in easily with the rich and famous class – even making a few of them feel in adequate.
Daughter of a diplomat? Heiress to an antiques company fortune? And, for some reason, Neffatari found herself becoming close friends with the girl ... which never happened because no one was interested in being bffs with a mere concierge. But something felt off.
Something's Off
“Neff” as Anna started called her, noticed it was always $100 dollar bills. Nothing else.
Also, despite the trust fund child “knowing all the best and fabulous places” was still asking her for suggestions. Then there were the lawyer calls.
Foundation Dreams
Anna was often on her phone with lawyers about her “The Anna Delvey Foundation” – and disagreeing with the cost and profit of everything.
The next batch of rumors made Neff wonder if the girl was having problems. Mostly because of her international vacations. It was the start of Anna’s downfall, and Neff would be in the middle of it all.
World Travel
It had been vacations to Monaco and other luxurious destinations.
The people Anna had travelled with wanted to be paid back. The answer was always “sorry I forgot” or “the transfer is on its way”. The next in line to ask for money was the hotel ... and they weren’t going to be as patient.
Bills Come Due
The excuses and sob stories came pouring in.
Anna insisted she had the money and when they threatened to kick her out, she became enraged and indignant – furious she was being treated as a “common person.” Without a place to stay, she begged Neff to stay at her place for a few days while she sorted out this “insult.”
Kicked Out
Neff thought about all the money she had in her account now because of Anna, and it broke her down enough to agree.
The agreement only lasted a couple days, because Neff got a phone call that brought the entire situation to light – a truth that made her kick Anna out immediately.
Arrested
Anna was going to be arrested for her outstanding hotel bills.
But that was just the start of the drama. Somehow, she managed to get bail and try to escape to California, where she was dragged back to face the rest of her charges ... and all the people she had lied to.
Con Artist
Neff couldn’t believe how deep it went.
The girl’s real name was Anna Sorokin, and she was a daughter of a normal, working class family that had moved to the States in 2007. There was no trust fund, she wasn’t and heiress, and had no Russian blood. But how did she get all the money?
Countless Lies
The money came from a slew of unpaid credit cards and false names.
Her lifestyle came from not paying for any bills when she could or making others pay – having her word taken as a sure thing because she was “obviously rich.” She had also fabricated everything about her education. Every lie and financial thread were only made possible because of her con-artist personality.
No Remorse
Neff dared to sit one day in the back of the courtroom as Anna was brought in wearing a beige jumpsuit and handcuffs.
The confident, smooth-talking girl was still there and even went as far as trying to negotiate her stiff sentence down to 3 years. Neff also wondered how much of those tips she had got from Anna had been the result of cheating someone else.
Many Victims
In the end, Neff didn’t have to pay what she had been given.
She was one of dozes of people who had been taken for a ride. Anna’s prison time should have made everyone feel at least a little better, but rumors spread about the girl’s time in prison. It was astonishing.
More Skills
Anna was having no trouble fitting in.
She was even “learning new tricks and skills for when she got out” – like identity theft. There was no remorse – only the keen interest on who was going to play her in the upcoming Netflix series. It was a string of events that Neff would never forget.