Ep 1. Fake Heiress

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Prep for a busy week with Whole Foods Market. Start your day with fully cooked breakfast sausages from Amy Liu, 365 brand frozen waffles with no bleached flours, and of course, Whole Foods Market eggs, which are all cage-free or better. In the evening, bring home a build-your-own family meal that feeds four for just $35. Choose one entree and two sides. Shop smarter, not harder, at Whole Foods Market. BBC Sounds. Music, radio, podcasts. Anna Delvey lived a life of trust fund luxury in New York City. But her fortune was built on a lie. One which ended up costing friends, hotels, lawyers and bankers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Narcissistic, sociopathic, Machiavellian. Well, she's a con artist. You know, we don't know who she is. They could totally make it on an industrial scale. You can't avoid that. My name's Vicky Baker, and I'm a journalist for BBC World News. In this six-part podcast, Fake Heiress, I'm working with playwright and screenwriter Chloe Moss to dig deeper into this New York scandal. Together, we'll mix drama with documentary to tell the story of Anna Delvey's rise and fall. You'll hear scenes based on court reports, press coverage and interviews with those who knew her. You'll also hear from some of those people directly. Some scenes will be fictionalized because, well, what's Anna Delvey's story without a bit of make-believe? Did Anna really think she could make her lies a reality? I think she did. It doesn't sit easy with people. Anyone who's been involved with it is not going to feel very. It's a horrible feeling to realize that you've been conned. Fake heiress. Part 1. Magpie. The Anna Delvey Foundation is a membership club experience conceived by art collector and Cologne native Anna Delvey, organized around a world-class contemporary art collection. Easily accessible and stylishly conceived, A.D. A.D.F. offers fine dining, cocktails, members' lounges, contemporary art, and an artist's studio. Entirely integrated within a historic building in the heart of Manhattan. The founder and creative director is Anna Delvey. I've heard that she's actual German royalty from Cologne. The Delveys? Uh, I think they work in antiques in, um, Germany. Yeah, I saw her at a party by a startup mogul. And she's wearing, um, is it Balencia or Alain? I can't remember. Anyway, I just remember she flew in on a private jet. Her father's a politician or diplomat or something like that? Nah, I heard he's, uh, an oil industry guy. Uh, one of them Russian billionaire types. Her dad is German, and he works in solar energy or something. Apparently, she's gonna inherit ten million dollars. I don't know, invested in some sort of visual arts program. The presentational pitch for the Anna Delvey Foundation was slick and polished. On the monochrome title page, the initials popped out from the background in a classy, modern font. The ADF. NYC. As you click through the following 94 pages, you could browse the floor plan, the 16-week renovation schedule, a breakdown of the £28 million budget, the projected revenue for the first six years. A double page was set aside to showcase the foundation's board members and advisers, comprising some of New York's biggest cultural leaders. Then, towards the back, after the practicalities, there was a comparatively modest profile of the founder and creative director. Anna Delvey. A newcomer on the city's arts scene, she had told people she was worried her eponymous project might sound narcissistic. She said, really, all she wanted to do was give something back, having had such a privileged upbringing herself. And besides, what else would she do with the enormous trust fund that was coming into her hands on her 26th birthday? It all sounded wonderful. Except none of it was true. Behind Anna Delvey's work, there's a story behind it. It's a beautiful story. Behind Anna Delvey, the heiress, was Anna Sorokin, the recent magazine intern. Out of nothing, this otherwise unremarkable 20-something had reinvented herself as a multi-millionaire socialite, conning businesses and friends out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. When her audacious scheme was first exposed in the press, social media caught fire. People wanted to know who she was, why she did it, how she did it. I had all these questions myself when I first wrote about her trial in April 2019. Her courtroom appearance was causing quite a stir, not only because Netflix and HBO had quickly snapped up the rights to various accounts of her misdeeds, but Anna had also reportedly even hired a personal stylist so she could look her best for the occasion. Jennifer Lawrence is a very girl next door, but maybe that's a good thing. Oh, yeah. I don't know. I think Margot Robbie feels like a better fit, like an anti-hero, not-so-sweet, you know? Although I'm not sure audiences would connect her as much. Well, this might be totally wrong, but I've had Chloe Grace Moretz on my mind constantly the last couple of days. I just think she has a real energy. She even looks like you. Don't you think she looks like you? I don't know. Isn't she a little young? Oh, to play you? Come on, you have a beautiful baby face. Young is good. It's great. Audiences love young. The younger, the better. I'm still leaning towards Margot Robbie. I mean, totally. She's absolutely on the list. She's up there. Jennifer Lawrence, close second. Seriously. Anna, we have to go in. Hello? Hello? I told you I went. I don't care if it's Walt Disney. The jury's been back in nearly an hour. The whole court's waiting for you. Hello? I can't put them off anymore. I have to go. Okay, sweetie. I cannot go in this outfit. Look at me. My stylist just messaged. She's like two minutes away. It does not look good, Anna. I know. The fit is all wrong. It's like a boiler suit. I asked for the black dress. I meant the situation doesn't look good. Hey, Anna. Gosh, I am so sorry. Black dress. Here you go. Isn't it beautiful? Quiet in court, please. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Ms. Sorokin, I told you previously we were not holding this court up anymore over your fashion. I've had a jury here since 9:30 this morning. It is unacceptable and inappropriate. This is not the court I'm in. I have a few questions. Okay. What do you want? A fashion show. Justice Kiesel, my client is under immense stress. Mr. Spodek, the matter is not up for further discussion. Far too much time has been wasted already. Now, have the jury reached their verdict? Yes, Justice Kiesel. We have. Ms. Sorokin, can you stand for me, please? In 1991, the communist Soviet Union fell, a new era was born, and so was a girl who later in life would also embrace every capitalist opportunity that came her way. Anna Sorokin's family weren't from Germany originally. They came from the outskirts of Moscow. We don't know much about her early years here. Tip bits came out during the trial and in various tabloids, most notably the Russian daily Komsomolskaya Pravda, which tracked down some of her relatives and school friends. Her father was a former truck driver who later ran his own heating and cooling business. Her mother worked in a shop, but stopped when Anna's younger brother was born. According to her classmates, she bought glossy fashion magazines and claimed she wanted to work for one. Here's what one of these friends, Nastya, said. At heart, she's a good person. Used to get on well with everyone. But mind you, people were still kind of wary of her. It's just she's got a strong character. She could be mean, hurt other people's feelings. Our favourite film was Mean Girls. She probably liked it because the main characters were negative heroines. In the 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls, Lindsay Lohan's character is a hit with the A-list girl gang at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for the ex-boyfriend of the clique's alpha female. Admittedly, there's a part of me that thinks this is all too good to be true, while the other half thinks, but of course Anna loved Mean Girls. You can just imagine her as a 14-year-old girl in her bedroom. Reciting the scenes for the umpteenth time. Christian Reiner knows everybody's business. She knows everything about everyone. That's why her hair is so big. It's full of sequins. An evil takes a human. Why don't you ever knock? Why don't you ever answer when I call you? A letter came this morning. I had to hide it from your father. Why? What have you been up to? Is that supposed to be funny? Mrs. Gillesco said it was a secret. I don't know what you're talking about. is a liar and a witch. You're supposed to be in a lesson and instead you're crouched in the doorway filling your lungs with tar. Do you want cancer? It wasn't a lesson. It was netball. So you admit it? I admit to skipping netball. What use is netball to me? It's completely irrelevant to my education and I'm an A student anyway, so why does it even matter? Don't think you can get away with this just because of your grades. If it happens again, you could face suspension. You're coming to see Mrs. Gleskow with me tomorrow. You can apologize and take whatever punishment she decides to give. Fine. Something has to change, Anna. In 2007, when Anna was 16, the Sorokin family moved to Eschwelle in Germany, where her father reportedly had business contacts. It was another industrial area, another suburban street. From what we know about Anna, she must have found it depressingly ordinary and been desperate to get away. Later in life, she would tell people she was from the city of Cologne instead. However, in her late teens, here she was in Eschwelle, stuck at her Catholic high school, where she reportedly struggled to learn the language. She was obsessed with fashion and her peers nicknamed her Barbie. However, the benefit of hindsight shows that a far more fitting nickname was right under their name. All along, Sorokin, or Sorokina, is Russian for magpie. Again, this sounds too good to be true, but seriously, Anna Magpie. She shares her name with the bird that, according to legend, is attracted to shiny things and is known to steal. What else am I going to do? Keep it in a glass box? It's a bag, not a Mona Lisa. How much did it even cost? All of my birthday and Christmas present budget and eight months allowance. Oh, that's commitment. Told you I'd get it in the end, didn't I? My mother thinks it costs a quarter of the price. She'd literally die if she knew. Fortunately, she has no fashion sense whatsoever. The bell's gone, girls. Get to class. And remove that jewelry. It's entirely inappropriate for school. Earrings are allowed. Earrings, yes. Those are chandeliers. Classroom, now. And hurry up. Hey, you, boy! Don't leave that in the corridor! You can't put them back in already. What if he turns around? He won't. Well, how'd you know? He won't risk looking weak. Do you know why he hates me? Because he hates everyone? Because I'm better than him. And I'm better than this town. And soon, I'll be out of here, and most probably, he'll never leave. Maybe he doesn't want to. Maybe he likes it here. Don't be crazy. I'll be out of here, too. So how did Anna hope to get out of town? We know at one point she had her eyes on Central Saint Martin Art School in London. They confirmed to me that she had applied and was offered a place on an undergraduate course. But she never took it up. What do you mean you're not going? I mean, I'm not going. Central Saint Martin was everything you wanted. What I want is to earn my own money in a job that I feel passionate about. And what? You think you're just going to walk into the job? Out of your dreams? You really think it's that easy? Yes, I think it's that easy. So instead of London, Anna headed to Berlin, where she reportedly spent a brief spell at a PR fashion company. She then must have used this as leverage to get her dream internship at Paris fashion magazine, Purple. Since its inception in 1992, this fashion bible has been edited by its co-founder, Olivier Zem. Let me paint a picture of Zem for you. When Anna met him, he would have been turning 50. He looks like a cross between Serge Gainsbourg and a modern-day Johnny Depp. He has tussled black hair and thick stubble. He almost always wears tight jeans and a designer leather jacket. And he's rarely seen without his prescription Ray-Ban aviators. His signature style has been described as a blend of sex and the 70s. In fact, New York Magazine once described him as fashion's most libidinal editor. In their 2000s. interview with him, he also gave this standout quote. People see me as a womanizer, but that is not the case. It's just hard for me to resist the charm of a woman. I love every aspect of women, even the negative aspects when they get scary or crazy or super emotional. I think it's beautiful. Olivier Zan was ultra-connected, not just in Paris, but many world hotspots. So Anna, wanting to make it at Purple and beyond, sought to make an impression on the man at the magazine's helm. OK, stop. I have no interest whatsoever in your client's opinion on the aesthetic of my photo shoot. Is that clear? If she doesn't like it, then I suggest she takes her portfolio to Glamour. I don't care, honestly. I couldn't give. OK, you do that. I'm putting the phone down now. Goodbye. Yes. Hello, Mr. Zan. I'm the new intern. I'm OK for coffee, thanks. I wanted to introduce myself and say thank you for the opportunity. No problem. I mean, I don't actually deal with the intern selection, so I'm not the person to thank, but I hope you have a good time here. You are the person to thank for getting me into Central Saint Martins, though. Oh, yeah? My presentation was totally inspired by your book about Karine Roitfeld. Oh, you read that book? Of course. I read all your books. Art is not communicative. Art is not reflexive. Art, science, philosophy are neither contemplative, neither reflexive, nor communicative. They are creative. That is all. Well, that is not actually my quote. That is. Gilles Deleuze. I know. But it is your favorite quote. And it's mine, too. I love his work on the society of control. Yeah. There's a Karine exhibition at the Galerie Perrotin at the moment. You know Karine? Of course. Honeymoon Nude is one of my favorite paintings ever. Why, you've got good taste. Look, a group of us are going tonight. Why don't you come along? I'd love to. What's your name again? Anna. Anna Delvey. Anna Delvey. At Purple, a new identity came. Anna Sorokin was now Anna Delvey. She ditched her Russian roots for a more American-sounding name. It was easier to remember, with a possible air of grandeur, and it could slip off the tongue seductively. But her new world wasn't always glamorous for her. Her job began in standard intern territory. I have spoken to some of her ex-colleagues, who said she would be sent to do menial errands, such as running to get coffees and salads for the team. They found her quiet and pretty unremarkable. However, she seems to have worked her way up to having at least some sort of responsibility. She was a PA. She was holding the cameras, changing the roles, making the phone calls, ordering the food. You know, like a PA, completely PA. This is Sergio Cavacho, a marketing professional who came across Anna on multiple shoots for Purple magazine. He said he sometimes let her stay with him. Later, she would attempt to rinse his credit card for tens of thousands of dollars, but we'll come to that. Back when they first met, he said he noticed Anna having a hard time. Bullying. This was the first time I heard this. I pressed Sergio some more. He said it was hard to remember the details. He implied there was some teasing, but it was mostly just other people trying to assert themselves above her. And not taking her seriously. But awkward. That is a word I've heard again and again from interviewees over the past few months. And Anna soon found that the key to breaking through that awkwardness was association. Sergio said people reacted differently to her when they found out where she worked. Obviously, being the assistant to Olivia's time is kind of like, well, it was kind of a big deal. Back in the day, everybody wanted to see their pictures there. Everybody wanted to be photographed. And meanwhile, she was working to craft her image on social media. Well, everybody uses Instagram to create fake PR and to create fake hype. I think only people above 60 years old don't know that you can create a fake personality, a fake career, a fake interest, a fake everything. I've probably spent a bit too much time on Anna's Instagram trying to unpick this convoluted tale. But it's all there. It seems to have been set up to document her new life at Purple. From what she posts, she certainly appeared obsessed with Zam. He features a lot in those early pics. Vice magazine said they found him commenting, baby, on one of her photos. This is not the standard intern editor dynamic that I have experienced in my own career. But this was Purple. Anna, the naturally shy girl, was trying to make herself appear popular and successful. The first group shot she posted was from a Purple shoot in May 2013 in Le Havre, northern France. The picture appears to show them post-work, socialising around a dinner table. Zam is there, making the V sign to the camera, and Anna is posing beside him, snuggling into Sergio Cavaccio. Anna was now living her dream as an insider in the magazine industry. In this line of work, the hours are long, the pay is pitiful, but it can be lots of fun if you milk the perks. And Purple would have had more than most. As a Purple employee, even at intern level, Anna could have wangled her way onto the best guest lists. You know Tommy Saleh? Of course. He was one of the first friends I made in Paris. We hang with a lot of the same crowd. Seriously? You know everyone. Could you introduce me? Sure. I need to talk to him about a work thing first, then I'll come find you. Excuse me? Excuse me? Excuse me? Mr. Saleh? Hello? I don't think we've met properly. My name is Anna Delvey. Hey, Anna Delvey. I'm friends with Olivier. I work with him. Purple. You and I have a lot of friends in common, actually. You were at the Belmont party last night, right? Yeah, I was. Hey. I hope I'm not interrupting. Not at all. Natalie, this is my old friend, Tommy Saleh. Tommy Saleh, Natalie. She's interning at Purple. Hey. Hi. It's great to meet you. Here's to old friends. To old friends? If you're ever in New York, you should give me a shout. Oh, I'm always in New York. New York? Yes, New York. Why would you want to go to New York? Because I've been offered a job. This is a huge opportunity. Ah, every time it's a huge opportunity, Anka. My name is Anna. London was a huge opportunity. Paris was a huge opportunity. I can't afford your huge opportunities anymore. You want my money? I'll call you what I want. Now, listen to me. I work hard. Your mother works hard. We're not doing it to fund your endless gap year. Are you deaf? I've got a job. Do you have any idea how many applicants they had? If they want you so badly, then why can't they pay your flights? That's not how it works. Money, money, money. That's the only reason you call home. That's not true. Yes, it is. Your grandmother's sick. Did you think to ask about her? How is grandma? Don't insult me, please. This is the last time, Anna. New York. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Anna's defense lawyer would years later paraphrase the Frank Sinatra song in court, saying this was her motivation, making it. Of course, Anna. If Anna wanted to go to New York, it was filled with opportunities. And it was also filled with people who she'd already crossed paths with in Paris. In August 2013, she took her first trip there, at least as far as her Instagram account shows. Olivia Zahm was in New York, too. Anna tagged him in one of her posts. She also posted pictures of his close friend, André Sariva, owner of Le Baron Nightclub, who was another heavyweight in these elite circles. Were they all traveling together? On another shoot or assignment? Or was this a coincidence? I've asked Purple and Olivia Zahm about Anna's time at the magazine. There has been no reply. Actress Chloe Sauvignon is a friend of Olivia Zahm's, and she once said, He makes you feel warm and is flattering, and showers you with adoration. Did Anna feel close to him? Even if he was just his normal self, he could have made her feel special. I do wonder if this attention she appears to have got from him inflated her ego and gave her a boost in confidence. Confidence that propelled her onward and upward. This is the final call for passengers of British Airways flight PA227 to New York JFK. I am pleased to let you know that we can offer you an upgrade today into our business class cabin. Thank you. No problem. Enjoy your flight. If you arrive in New York and you start connecting and exchanging contacts, Instagram accounts, because also, like, Paris is so glamorous, I guess, to people from New York City. This is Mark Kremers, who Anna later contacted to work on the plan for her foundation. We'll be hearing a lot more from him. They're like, oh, it's amazing. Oh, I know that guy. I know Andre. I know Zahm. Oh, that's a cool Givenchy party. I guess it probably lubricates that whole sort of acceptance of somebody's story, right? Anna was heading to New York with the right connections and the social media to prove it. She was kissing goodbye to the high schooler. And fashionistas who had doubted her. On the other side of the Atlantic, it was going to prove easier to totally reinvent herself. Can I get you anything to drink, madam? Champagne, please. Certainly. Could you leave the bar down? How you like me now? How you like me now? How you like me now? In the next episode of Fake Heiress, how did Anna move from intern to New York socialite? Next year is going to be a big one for me. Watch this space, OK? And who did she target to fund her increasingly expensive lifestyle? In the morning after, American Express calls me that if I knew Anna Delvey, because she charged my car 31K. And we explore how the Anna Delvey Foundation was born. She used information as power, you know? So when she saw someone she wanted to be, I think she was paying attention to everything they did and remembering it. And I think she was trying to be that person. You have been listening to Fake Heiress. The programme was reported by me, Vicky Baker, and the drama was written by Chloe Moss. The producer was Sasha Yeftyshenko. Henry Akeley disappeared from his home on the edge of Rendlesham Forest somewhere around the end of June 2019. They come every night now. The police don't believe me. Please, I just need you to get in touch. What we uncovered. Is a mystery that has sent us deep into England's past. To an area steeped in witchcraft, the occult, secret government operations. Now we have multiple sites of five lights with a similar shape. And something that might indeed be altogether otherworldly. This is The Whisperer in Darkness. Available now on BBC Sounds.