Vicky BakerFraudacious podcast

Ekaterina Barrett was a familiar sight in Mayfair and Monaco - a few of Europe's many unique addresses.

The evident multi-millionaire liked haute couture, and wore flamboyant designer clothes while walking her Italian greyhounds.

She was understood for betting in casinos and spending big money in high-end boutiques. But she was also somebody who could "get you to do things you would never ever do", says British store owner Bridget Hutchcroft.

She was "like a snake".

Hutchcroft - who is owed more than ₤ 1.6 m ($2.1 m) by Barrett - is one of numerous former pals and associates who accuse the 69-year-old of being a scammer.

Eight years on, Hutchcroft has actually engaged attorneys to pursue Barrett in Lichtenstein, Austria, Monaco and Israel - but the financial obligation remains impressive.

And Barrett's glamorous life seems unwinding.

For Bridget Hutchcroft, the financial dispute began with a simple favour: dog-sitting.

Hutchcroft runs a second-hand designer clothes shop in Knightsbridge, London, called Pandora Dress Agency. It's well-liked and plain, with Chanel and Dior bags dangling from the ceiling, and shelves of crystal-embellished heels.

Hutchcroft, 66, took control of business in the late 1980s and grafted to make it a success. Back in 2017, Barrett was a periodic client, somebody with whom Hutchcroft had actually barely spoken.

Barrett was known to be "extremely bossy", with a "pay-attention-to-me, deal-with-me type of attitude", says Sona Patel, the store manager.

The very first time they effectively satisfied, Hutchcroft believed Barrett looked rich but nothing unusual for that part of town.

One summer's day Hutchcroft says she discovered Barrett having a hard time to park her Bentley on the narrow side street - she generally had a motorist.

When Barrett came into the store, Hutchcroft says Barrett was flustered and told her she needed someone to care for the pets while she went to Harrods.

Hutchcroft used to help.

"And after that after that Ekaterina stated: 'You should come to my home. I will send my automobile.'"

Over the next few months, Hutchcroft began making regular trips to Barrett's Mayfair apartment or condo to take care of the dogs.

Walking them in close-by Hyde Park felt like "good treatment", Hutchcroft says. She was recuperating from a breakdown and had actually been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

She began investing a lot more time with .

"It was a bit looser than a relationship - it was more intrigue," states Hutchcroft, keeping in mind Barrett appeared to love playing the VIP in style homes and members' clubs.

"It was like being at the theatre - I would like to know what would occur next."

Then, three months after the two females initially satisfied, things took an unusual turn.

Hutchcroft says she found Barrett sobbing uncontrollably, saying the guy who handled her organization affairs had suddenly passed away.

She says Barrett told her she required a short-term loan due to a short-term cash flow issue.

Hutchcroft says she mored than happy to help initially, but the demands kept coming. She states Barrett began pleading and pleading. All this at a time when Hutchcroft was swinging between episodes of mania and depression.

"She creates this havoc around you," states Hutchcroft, who remembers her phone calling continuously.

"So in the end you just say, 'OK, OK, I'll help you'. I never ever even thought she may not offer it back."

The loans kept adding up, and eventually topped more than ₤ 1m ($1.3 m) - cash Hutchcroft states remained in her account after a property sale and which was earmarked to money her grand son's education, pay a tax costs and facilitate her retirement.

It was only after an intervention from pals - and as her mental health began to stabilise - that she realised just how much money she had moved.

Hutchcroft went to the authorities, but was told they would not examine as it was a civil matter.

So she engaged a legal representative and sued.

"I worked for whatever I've got since the age of 15," states Hutchcroft, who matured in a working-class home in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester. "So I'm not gon na let some rich female take my money off me."

Hutchcroft - who now believes Barrett benefited from her mental illness to manipulate her into parting with her money - had no idea what she was getting into.

Barrett reacted with a countersuit. She firmly insisted Hutchcroft actually owed her money and called the allegations against her "vexatious". In court documents, she stated she was unaware of the degree of Hutchcroft's psychological illness at the time.

Years of legal back-and-forth took place, up until the ladies lastly reached an out-of-court settlement in 2021 - four years after they had actually met. Barrett did not confess misbehavior however consented to pay Hutchcroft ₤ 1m plus interest, with the funds to be raised through the sale of her London flat.

When Barrett didn't pay, Hutchcroft returned to the High Court, which provided a final judgement in 2022, raising the financial obligation to ₤ 1.6 m, consisting of interest.

Hutchcroft received one payment of ₤ 100,000 - and after that absolutely nothing more.

Shortly afterwards, Barrett's luxury Mayfair apartment was repossessed. She had failed to pay the home mortgage.

"I think she believed she would outrun me," states Hutchcroft. "But I am not the type to offer up."

Years later on, in July 2024, the two females discovered themselves deal with to face once again at London's High Court. Ekaterina Barrett showed up using a designer gown with a hood she would pull up and down considerably throughout procedures.

Hutchcroft was positive, thinking this hearing may be completion of the roadway for their legal conflict. "I believe she's gon na be given a jail sentence," she says.

Barrett was at court to answer new allegations of forgery and perjury. The judge handed her a four-month suspended sentence for lying under oath about her possessions and submitting fabricated files as proof, consisting of forging Hutchcroft's signature.

She was also purchased to pay a ₤ 100,000 fine. The due date remained in February 2025. It stays unsettled.

In March last year, I got a tip-off that Barrett was dealing with another court case in Monaco.

She had actually been charged with taking a set of Balenciaga boots from a luxury store in Monte Carlo in December 2024.

The prosecution said CCTV revealed her entering into the fitting rooms with boots which cost more than EUR1,000 (₤ 860; $1,150), then coming out stating they didn't fit.

Barrett's bag was covered with her scarf when she left the store - and staff said the boots weren't discovered in the dressing room.

Her attorney, Clyde Billard, pled for full acquittal, arguing there was no evidence and she could manage them. He explained her as a huge customer of Monaco high-end shops.

The second charge was for taking EUR1,550 (₤ 1,340; $1,790) from an acquaintance's bag at the luxury Hotel Metropole.

Barrett once again denied the theft and her lawyer said she had permission to take it. The owner of the bag - an individual stylist - stated that wasn't real.

Barrett was found guilty of both criminal offenses and fined EUR5,000 (₤ 4,315; $5,760). She is appealing the convictions.

"It's simply amazing," Hutchcroft states. "She should get something out of it. Adrenaline?"

Following another court hearing, Barett is facing expulsion from the multi-million-pound apartment in Monaco she has actually called home for many years. She has failed to pay the home loan.

The court has ruled the residential or commercial property will be taken and sold at auction to cover the financial obligation.

Multiple creditors are now going after Barrett for debts, consisting of another former buddy who has successfully sued her in Liechtenstein for ₤ 2.7 m ($3.6 m).

With numerous court cases and claims, I choose to travel to Monte Carlo to see if Barrett would address any concerns.

Her home does not look extremely glamorous from the exterior. It's set just off the seafront, in a 10-storey block with mirrored windows that show the sun.

It remains in the so-called Golden Square - in the area of the Monte Carlo Casino, the wealthy micro-state's most significant draw, where rows of neon Lamborghinis are parked outside.

Barrett is understood to be a bettor, or previous gambler. She was "notorious" in Mayfair's private gambling establishments, according to different casino employees.

I first see her red hair through the bushes that surround the apartment building.

She comes out worn white lace and a big sunhat, holding the arm of a woman who seems using a black uniform.

"No interviews," Barrett barks and threatens to call the authorities.

When I later provide a full list of allegations versus her via e-mail, she writes back.

"The info collected appears to count on incorrect and deceptive details supplied by hostile or destructive parties whose goal is to harm my track record.

"The inspirations behind this publication raise serious issues about fairness, accuracy, and responsible journalism."

Back in London, more than eight years years given that the two females initially fulfilled, Hutchcroft is still determined to get a few of her cash back.

She is now trying to require the sale of a home Barrett is believed to own in Israel.

It remains uncertain if Barrett is out of funds - or just refusing to pay.

"I believe somewhere along the line she has actually got a pot of gold and she understands never should she speak about it," says Hutchcroft.

"I can't believe she's ran herself to the wire and that she's got absolutely nothing but what's in her pockets."

Vicky Baker investigated this story for her podcast Fraudacious, an Unique production in association with BBC Studios