  We statistically validated a sample of hot Neptune candidates applying a
two-step vetting technique using DAVE and TRICERATOPS. We performed a
systematic validation of 250 transit-like events in the Transiting Exoplanet
Survey Satellite (TESS) archive in the parameter region defined by $P\leq 4$ d
and $3R_\oplus\leq R\leq 5R_\oplus$. Through our analysis, we identified 18 hot
Neptune-sized candidates, with a false positive probability $<50\%$. Nine of
these planet candidates still need to be confirmed. For each of the nine
targets we retrieved the stellar parameters using ARIADNE and derived
constraints on the planetary parameters by fitting the lightcurves with the
juliet package. Within this sample of nine candidates, we statistically
validated (i.e, with false positive probability < $0.3\%$) two systems (TOI-277
b and TOI-1288 b) by re-processing the candidates with TRICERATOPS along with
follow-up observations. These new validated exoplanets expand the known hot
Neptunes population and are high-priority targets for future radial velocities
follow-up.
