In 2013, Russian-born Anna Sorokin posed as an artwork socialite and German heiress within the New York Metropolis artwork scene. Utilizing her connections, Sorokin arrange a pretend studio and manufactured false paperwork to substantiate her claims of getting a $67 million belief fund. All in all, Sorkin defrauded members of the New York artwork and social scene of greater than $275,000 between 2013 and 2017 (right here). She is a basic instance of a pretend wealthy particular person – or somebody claiming wealth to govern or deceive others.
Sadly, there are numerous extra individuals like her on the market. So that you simply received’t get fooled, listed below are some indicators of a pretend wealthy particular person and how one can spot them.
1. They depend on bank cards to pay for the whole lot.
An individual might have costly, luxurious items. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply they’re wealthy. If you wish to know if somebody is faking, take note of how they pay for issues. Are they continuously utilizing bank cards? Or, do they pay with money or debit? Have they got a black card? Has their fee ever been denied?
Many individuals dig themselves deep into debt by utilizing their bank cards to maintain up appearances. This normally means they haven’t any financial savings and the whole lot they personal is bought on borrowed cash. In distinction, the rich usually have entry to money or money equivalents and haven’t any have to borrow to fund shopper expenditures.
2. They should impress individuals.
One other signal of a pretend wealthy particular person is how far they may go to impress individuals. They want validation from these with wealth and standing as a result of they thrive on the approval of others.
Due to this fact, they go to further lengths to indicate off standing objects that give the impression that they’re wealthy. This might embody carrying costly clothes or attire objects with designer labels. Or, they may drive luxurious automobiles and keep in costly motels. All of those behaviors point out somebody who’s making an attempt to make use of perceived wealth to achieve standing.
Suppose of people that continuously submit on social media about their wealth. Some work it into conversations to let individuals know the way a lot they paid for a specific merchandise. Others appear to have a knack for redirecting all their conversations again to their costly purchases and achievements. All of those are crimson flags that issues aren’t as they appear.
One current instance of this was marketer Tai Lopez. He turned notorious after he posted a advertising and marketing video exhibiting off costly sports activities automobiles, a big e book assortment, and a powerful mansion. The general public later realized that he leased the mansion and automobiles and he had by no means learn his books. In September 2025 Lopez was sued by the SEC. The Lawsuit alleged that Lopez was operating a “Ponzi like” scheme (right here). The video under has a short abstract of Lopez’ rise to fame and fall from grace.
3. They don’t meet their commitments or they violate the regulation.
In line with criminologists, individuals who interact in a single sort of crime typically interact in different crimes(right here). For instance, individuals who commit homicide are prone to have a historical past of assault. Moreover, individuals who cheat on their taxes are additionally extra vulnerable to defraud their employers.
Primarily based on this logic, a pretend wealthy particular person is extra prone to enterprise into authorized and moral grey areas. Since they’re mendacity about their monetary scenario, there’s a excessive likelihood they interact in different kinds of misconduct – akin to failure to repay loans or failure to satisfy different commitments. Though individuals make monetary errors, patterns of violations and misconduct point out that an individual isn’t as financially safe as they need others to consider.
4. They will’t maintain deeper conversations about constructing wealth.
In lots of circumstances, individuals who have constructed a major web value are sometimes snug speaking about cash. That is very true for individuals who have constructed their wealth by means of investing and entrepreneurship. As well as, managing massive quantities of cash typically means the rich should have a working data of superior tax and monetary administration methods.
So, pretend wealthy individuals typically reveal themselves by their lack of economic data. Most individuals can speak on a floor stage about investing and private finance. They could even have practiced a couple of conversations or ready scripted responses to keep away from suspicion. However when pressed, they reveal that they don’t have monetary literacy. Maybe they will’t present particulars on how they constructed their wealth because it doesn’t come from their expertise. Nevertheless, their falsities are normally revealed by means of a scarcity of detailed consciousness of superior authorized or accounting issues.
5. They continuously brag about who they know or the place they’ve been.
Have you ever observed that the particular person in query finds methods to namedrop necessary connections? It’s as a result of they know the facility of those connections. Moreover, they need to achieve clout in social circles, emphasize social connections, and make themselves appear extra necessary.
Pretend wealthy individuals are the sort to brag about locations they go to or submit costly holidays on social media. However when it comes time to satisfy these individuals or frequent these locales, there’s all the time an excuse why they will’t. Due to this fact, be cautious across the boastful and take the whole lot with a grain of salt.
For instance, in 2017 Ricardo “Maserati Ric” Agnant claimed to be a former member of the Miami Dolphins to enhance his relationship prospects. In line with Black Leisure Tv in 2014, Agnant managed to sneak his means into the NFL Regional mix on the Dolphins coaching (1). He later exaggerated his day on the sector in his makes an attempt to catfish quite a few girls and con automotive dealerships into considering he performed for the NFL. Nevertheless, he ultimately introduced an excessive amount of consideration to himself and was outed on social media. This successfully ended his charade and prompted him to retreat from the general public eye.
6. Their circle consists of different pretend wealthy individuals.
In line with Jim Rohn, we’re the typical of the 5 individuals we spend probably the most time with. So, chances are high in the event that they hold round different pretend wealthy individuals, they’re all in the identical boat. That is usually as a result of individuals with comparable pursuits collect to be taught from one another or to offer mutual assist to one another.
In distinction, people who find themselves legitimately rich additionally spend time collectively. This is because of shared pursuits and life circumstances the wealthy maintain, in addition to for networking, improved entry to alternatives and data transmission.
7. There’s all the time an excuse.
As with all liars, there’s all the time an excuse. The pretend wealthy keep away from plans that contain costly eating places, ticket venues, holidays, or different issues they will’t afford. And when it comes time to pay, they incessantly “neglect their pockets” or have to borrow cash since they “don’t find the money for in that account proper now.”
Different excuses embody explanation why they will’t host gatherings, why they will’t present you the costly automobiles of their Instagram feeds, a story concerning the causes of their newest enterprise failure, or some schedule battle that forestalls you from assembly necessary contacts. Ultimately, the justifications run dry, and the reality comes out.
That is exactly what occurred to con artist Anna Sorokin. Ultimately, her acquaintances uncovered her fraud when her bank card stopped working and he or she “borrowed” cash from a good friend. The mountain of lies she had constructed imploded and uncovered her. This “good friend” later turned her over to the FBI. After the trial, the jury convicted her and he or she was sentenced to 4 – 12 years for grand larceny and theft providers. Her story proves that the reality will come out ultimately, regardless of how laborious you attempt to disguise it.
What Separates the Actual from the Pretend?
Within the digital age, appearances simply disguise the reality. So, how will you distinguish a pretend wealthy particular person from a real article? In line with quite a few authors, actual wealthy individuals show sure traits. For instance, they:
-
- Learn persistently for self-improvement.
- Set and construct targets round their ambitions.
- Construct relationships with profitable individuals.
- Concentrate on their well being.
- Undertake a frugal mindset, and spend cash on high quality objects at a reduction.
- Observe what they spend.
- Save and make investments 10% to twenty% of their earnings persistently over time.
- Work so much (at the very least 50 hours per week).
- Restrict leisure display time and junk meals.
- Usually management their mood, ideas, and feelings.
If you would like a broader dialogue concerning the habits and existence of the wealthy, two good sources are The Millionaire Subsequent Door by advertising and marketing professors Thomas Stanley and William Danko and Wealthy Habits by accountant Tom Corley. Each books talk about the habits of the rich, together with a lot of these on this record.
Be aware, that broadcasting wealth to affect others is mostly not on the record of the traits of the wealthy. If somebody is actually rich, they don’t have to show it to you. Solely these with one thing to cover have to flaunt their wealth. So, if somebody poses as a pretend wealthy particular person, it’ll ultimately come out by means of their attitudes and conduct.
You Would possibly Additionally Get pleasure from
Materials Connection Disclosure: A number of the hyperlinks on this article are “affiliate hyperlinks.” Should you click on on the hyperlink and make a purchase order or sign-up, Saving Recommendation will obtain an affiliate fee – which can assist hold the location going. We solely suggest merchandise we expect will add worth to savingadvice.com readers. We’re disclosing this in compliance with Federal Commerce Fee’s 16 CFR, Half 255: “Guides In regards to the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Promoting.”
Jenny Smedra is an avid world traveler, ESL instructor, former archaeologist, and freelance author. Selecting a life overseas had strengthened her dedication to discovering methods to convey individuals collectively throughout language and cultural limitations. Whereas most of her time is devoted to both working with kids, she additionally enjoys good associates, good meals, and new adventures.
