Fraudacious — Episode Three: The Vienna Connection

Date: March 16, 2026
Host & Narrator: Vicki Baker
Production: Novel in association with BBC Studios

Overview

In this episode, Vicki Baker travels to Vienna to investigate the murky past of Ekaterina Barrett, the enigmatic socialite at the heart of a growing financial scandal that has left multiple high-profile victims in her wake. The episode focuses on uncovering Ekaterina’s previous exploits in Vienna during the early 2000s, shining a light on her methods of integration into elite circles—and the personal and legal wreckage left behind. The story combines first-hand testimonies, investigative journalism, and deep dives into historic court cases, bringing listeners closer to the truth behind Ekaterina’s elaborate façade.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Discovery of a Fraudulent Past

• The episode opens with Olive Moorfield, a former opera singer, receiving a shocking hotel phone call revealing that her credit card is being used by Ekaterina Barrett in Monaco ([01:39]–[02:28]).

  • Quote:
    • “He said, Mrs. Moorfield, we don’t know, we have this credit card and she’s asking for more credit… I said absolutely not.” — Olive Moorfield ([01:39])

• This incident sparks a journey into Ekaterina’s past misdeeds in Vienna, which involved posing as an oil company agent to defraud multiple individuals.

  • Ekaterina’s MO included presenting forged documents and stories of pending commissions to solicit loans, all to finance a lavish lifestyle ([07:18]–[08:56]).

  • Quote:

    • "Her stories, the article says, were fairy tales and she used her victims' money to fund her lavish lifestyle." — Vicki Baker ([08:28])

2. Piecing Together the Vienna Years

• Vicki attempts to track down records, contacts, and witnesses in Vienna:

  • Attempts to locate people involved in Ekaterina’s old haunts—such as luxury stores and casinos—yield limited results, but eventually journalist Johannes Wolff provides some context from his reporting ([06:11]–[10:21]).

  • The press covered Ekaterina’s arrest for fraudulent loans and reported she was a citizen of Azerbaijan ( an additional passport among her multiple claimed identities).

  • Quote:

    • “It’s an easy, easy story. We get the information about this case, about Ekaterina, from the police.” — Johannes Wolff ([07:18])
    • "Everybody who knows this person had a problem, call the police." — Johannes Wolff ([07:50])

• The criminal justice system’s lack of transparency leaves questions about the verdict, but records eventually confirm Ekaterina’s conviction and incarceration in Vienna ([39:19]–[40:28]).

3. Inside the Artistic and Diplomatic Circles

• Ekaterina’s entrée into Viennese society was gained through connections with notable figures like artist Ernst Fuchs, whose flamboyant lifestyle and elite connections proved valuable windows into high society ([12:30]–[15:51]).

  • Lorian, Fuchs’ museum’s art historian, paints a picture of this world and suggests Ekaterina’s apparent “Russian” persona was part of her appeal.

  • Quote:

    • “He was the perfect key to open these doors.” — Lorian ([15:51])

• A fascinating anecdote about Ekaterina commissioning (and failing to pay for) a larger version of Fuchs’ painting "Adam Mysticos" reinforces her pattern of financial manipulation ([14:58]–[15:51]).

4. Victims Speak: Olive and Kurt’s Story

• Olive Moorfield and Dr. Kurt Mark (Honorary Consul of Barbados) share their harrowing experiences with Ekaterina. Olive’s skepticism clashes with Kurt’s willingness to trust, ultimately leading to significant financial losses ([18:44]–[28:29]).

  • Key moments:

    • The “fake” Hermès bag at a luncheon sets Olive’s suspicions off ([21:51]–[22:22]).
    • Olive details how Ekaterina pressured for a visa, ingratiated herself with the family, and effectively embedded herself in their lives.

  • Quotes:

    • “She breathed vulgarity. There was just something not right.” — Olive Moorfield ([22:22])
    • “She was always here. You couldn’t get rid of her.” — Olive Moorfield ([23:39])
    • “He bought Ekaterina a computer, a copy machine, and… gave her Olive’s credit card.” — Vicki Baker ([24:26])

• Olive discusses Kurt’s vulnerability as a doctor used to trust and kindness, and the toll Ekaterina’s manipulation took on their marriage ([27:30]–[30:24]).

  • Quote:
    • “These kind of people do that to people. They're very, very destructive.” — Olive Moorfield ([29:58])

5. Emotional and Psychological Fallout

• Kurt and Olive explain the emotional impact—the sense of confusion, loss, and the altering of personal relationships that fraudsters can inflict beyond monetary harm ([30:24]–[31:43]).

• Olive shares a philosophy for resilience: “Bigleitungsprocess. It means that you are accompanying each other through life.” ([30:52])

6. Confirming Ekaterina’s Conviction

• Court and address records reveal Ekaterina was indeed sentenced and jailed in Austria for fraud.
  • Quote:
    • “Her primary address is registered at the women’s prison Schwarzel… she was an inmate.” — Vicki Baker ([39:19]–[40:28])

7. Interview with Mitch Barrett, Ekaterina’s Ex-Husband

• Mitch Barrett, ex-model and artist, insists he was kept in the dark about Ekaterina’s schemes and recalls being manipulated and emotionally dependent due to a brain injury ([35:13]–[38:49]).
  • Quote:
    • “She kept me out of everything to do with business. It was like closed doors on me.” — Mitch Barrett ([36:10])
    • “I really feel, I really feel empathy for that. …You don’t want to believe that you’re wrong about somebody.” — Mitch Barrett ([38:49])

8. Bridget’s Legal Battle and Unresolved Questions

• Bridget, the more recent London victim, reflects on learning Ekaterina’s criminal past:

  • Quote:
    • “Not surprised. But, like, wow, you know, she’s aimed for the top… Everybody is a step.” — Bridget ([41:46])

• The episode concludes with Bridget reaching a financial settlement with Ekaterina (£1 million plus costs) but only receiving a fraction of this, reigniting fears that the appearance of wealth is as powerful (and elusive) as wealth itself ([42:40]–[43:59]).

  • Quote:
    • “It’s amazing for me that she can do this for 20 years, 25 years or whatever… She’s doing it on her own, and she’s getting away with it.” — Olive Moorfield ([33:16])
    • “I only believe I’ve got what I’ve got when I’ve actually got it.” — Bridget ([43:54])

Most Memorable Quotes (With Timestamps)

• “I wanted to divorce my husband.” — Olive Moorfield ([02:28])
• “Her stories… were fairy tales and she used her victims’ money to fund her lavish lifestyle.” — Vicki Baker ([08:28])
• "She breathed vulgarity. There was just something not right." — Olive Moorfield ([22:22])
• “These kind of people do that to people. They're very, very destructive.” — Olive Moorfield ([29:58])
• “Bigleitungsprocess. It means you are accompanying each other through life.” — Olive Moorfield ([30:52])
• “She kept me out of everything to do with business. It was like closed doors on me.” — Mitch Barrett ([36:10])
• “She’s aimed for the top… Everybody is a step.” — Bridget ([41:46])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:39] — Olive Moorfield discovers fraud on her credit card
• [07:18] — Journalist Johannes Wolff recounts police strategy for catching Ekaterina
• [15:51] — Art historian Lorian explains high society’s allure
• [18:44] — Meeting in the home of Olive and Kurt, the diplomat couple
• [22:22] — Olive assesses Ekaterina’s social performance
• [29:58] — Olive reflects on the destruction caused in her marriage
• [36:10] — Interview with Mitch Barrett on his life with Ekaterina
• [39:19] — Archival documents prove Ekaterina’s imprisonment
• [41:46] — Bridget shares her reaction to Ekaterina’s criminal record
• [42:40] — Discussion of the out-of-court settlement and Bridget’s skepticism

Tone & Language

The episode maintains an investigative, personal, and often reflective tone, balancing methodical journalism with moments of candid emotion from the contributors. Vicki Baker guides the narrative with empathy and curiosity, while interviewees like Olive Moorfield are heartfelt, direct, and sometimes wry in their observations.

Conclusion

Episode Three unravels Ekaterina Barrett’s Vienna years, establishing a pattern of deception and manipulation stretching back decades. Listeners are drawn into the emotional devastation suffered by her victims, the power of charm and performance in high society, and the challenges of seeking justice across borders and social strata. The story is not simply about financial fraud but about trust, reputation, and how the myth of wealth can be weaponized. The haunting question lingers: even when the truth is revealed, can anyone really stop Ekaterina?

For more, visit Novel Audio or tune in for the next episode of Fraudacious.