Fraudacious — Episode 2: High Rolling

Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Vicki Baker
Podcast by Novel in association with BBC Studios

Episode Overview

This episode of Fraudacious peels back the next layer in the complex case of the alleged con by “Russian socialite” Ekaterina Barrett. Centered on boutique owner Bridget Hutchcroft’s million-pound loss, journalist Vicki Baker unearths tales of manipulation, high society deception, and conflicting claims—unraveling a web of trust, illusion, and financial devastation. The investigation takes listeners from exclusive London casinos and Mayfair apartments to painful betrayals and courtroom showdowns, examining the costs of being drawn in by the allure of wealth and charm.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Ritz Club & Ekaterina’s Reputation

• [01:00]–[02:30]: Introduction to the Ritz Club Casino—an opulent, exclusive world.
  • Terry (former casino manager):

    “It was very, very ocular... That is, that's as good as it gets.”

  • Discovery that Ekaterina Barrett was one of his least favorite clients due to her difficult behavior.

Sona: The Skeptical Shop Manager

• [03:11]–[09:17]: Sona, Pandora Dress Agency’s manager, recounts early suspicions and her history of standing up to wrongdoing and shoplifting, drawing parallels to dealing with Ekaterina.
  • Sona:

    "I can't deal with, as they say, bad stuff."

  • Describes a hostile phone exchange with Ekaterina, Ekaterina’s attempts to isolate Bridget, and Sona’s role in challenging Ekaterina’s claims about supposed designer belongings.
• [06:12]–[09:17]: Sona thoroughly investigates Ekaterina’s counterclaim:
  • She cross-checked claimed items against shop records, disproving many, and highlights the mysterious chinchilla fur jacket (originally compensated for, then “lost”, then found).
  • Sona [08:21]:

    "Blatantly saying it's not mine is what made me go, that's not normal. And that's when I didn't trust her."

  • Concludes Bridget was indirectly "robbed" (“…taking the money, not paying any back. It’s still daylight robbery.”)

He-Said, She-Said and Counterclaims

• [09:42]–[10:58]: Vicki unpacks the legal back-and-forth:
  • Ekaterina, via her lawyer, reverses the narrative—claiming Bridget owes her over £1 million for luxury items.
  • Yekaterina’s lawyer (read by Vicki) [10:34]:

    "Ms. Hutchcroft began from time to time to make erratic demands that Ms. Barrett pay… sometimes dressing up these demands as requests for repayment of nonexistent loans..."

  • The list’s items seem hugely overvalued; the conflict grows more bizarre and unpredictable.

The Bridget–Ekaterina Friendship: Curious Beginnings

• [13:57]–[17:44]: Bridget’s home and character:
  • Quirky details (a ‘hunky man’ cushion), a modest flat, and an explanation that early friendship with Ekaterina felt unexciting—against the classic “love bombing” con approach.
  • Bridget [15:36]:

    “She goes there to be seen. She's sitting there with her mink coats and sable... She flitters. And then she's always got to go somewhere and then you find out all she's done is gone back to her apartment in Mayfair."

  • Moments of feeling uncomfortable and manipulated, yet unable to break away due to an inexplicable “hold” Ekaterina had on her.
  • Regret and confusion from Bridget:

    "I don't know. I don't know what power she had and I don't know how she made me do what I did, but she did." [17:23]

Psychological and Emotional Manipulation

• [17:44]–[21:18]:
  • Escalating requests for money—initially framed as short-term loans, then relentless pressure.
  • Bridget describes feeling uniquely responsible for Ekaterina’s well-being, exacerbated by her own vulnerability during a bipolar episode.
    • Bridget [19:03]:

      “…Just leave me alone. I’m not well.”
      (and acknowledging impulsivity and poor judgment at the time).

  • Bridget never kept precise records; only later did the magnitude of her financial exposure dawn on her.

The Trust “Carrot” and More Manipulation

• [21:42]–[24:08]: The promise of a Liechtenstein trust:
  • Ekaterina dangles the prospect of Bridget becoming a ‘trustee’ of her (purportedly vast) wealth to reassure her, but strings it to requests for more money.
  • Sona [23:07]:

    "And I went, ‘Don’t become a trustee.’ ...I was just trying to extort more money from her."

  • Both Bridget and Sona strongly reject the idea that Bridget was motivated by greed.
    • Sona:

      “She's quirky, but she's not. No, she's not greedy.”

Investigating Ekaterina’s Wealth: Fact or Fiction?

• [24:08]–[25:31]: Vicki seeks proof of property ownership; discovers official records confirming Ekaterina’s name on a £4.2 million Mayfair apartment purchased in 2014. Raises the lingering question: where did her money really come from, and why the behavior?

Testimonials: Staff and Casino Workers

• [26:05]–[29:37]: Steve the Mayfair concierge and casino staff:
  • Steve recounts Ekaterina’s notoriety for abusive, controlling behavior—not only towards him but also cleaners, drivers, and other staff (often not paying them).
    • Steve [28:20]:

      "It's as if someone... gets a buzz out of it. That's how it seemed."

  • Repeated stories of financial disputes and a kind of social “infamy.”

Ekaterina’s High Rolling at the Casino

• [30:58]–[34:25]: Terry’s memories:
  • Regular but not elite-level gambling (£10,000–£20,000 a night), behaviors that included attempts to delay payments and an air of unpredictability.
  • Not remembered for losing or winning big but for persistent rudeness, especially towards Russian-speaking staff.
    • Terry [32:38]:

      “She was so rude to everybody. ...She would say to the dealers in Russian, ‘You're fat, you're ugly, you're a slut.’ …Anything vile that she could say, she would say it."

  • No proof of outright crime in the casino, but many indications of “not straightforward” dealings.

“She Had So Much Control Over Bridget”

• [35:31]–[37:56]: The overall pattern:
  • Multiple sources—from casino managers to drivers to shop staff—describe pressure tactics, intimidation, explosive outbursts, unpaid bills, and sometimes superficial charm.
  • Steve (Concierge) [36:55]:

    "She knew exactly which buttons to push… She had so much control over Bridget."

  • Roger (Bridget’s friend) suggests a mix of charm and pressure techniques shaped Bridget’s behavior.

The Ongoing Fight & New Revelations

• [37:48]–[38:14]: Bridget’s determination to fight for justice, escalating to the hiring of a private investigator—and a critical new lead:
  • An old Vienna newspaper article and police mugshot of Ekaterina Barrett from 2004 surface, hinting at a long history of questionable dealings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Daylight robbery." – Sona [09:31]
• "I don't know what power she had and I don't know how she made me do what I did, but she did." – Bridget [17:23]
• "She'd be like crawling up you almost, you know, I want this, I need money. And if she knew you had some, I would say she would squeeze it out of you." – Bridget [18:23]
• "She was so rude to everybody … Anything vile that she could say, she would say it to them." – Terry (casino manager) [32:38]
• "It's as if someone gets … a buzz out of it." – Steve (concierge) [28:20]
• "She's hoping to outrun me. The more she outruns, the more money I'm putting in... I'm not the type of person just to... lie down and die. I think, no, I'll fight her." – Bridget [37:48]
• “Once her name was mentioned, everyone sorted that grimace on their face.” – Steve (concierge) [29:09]

Timeline & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic Description | | ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 01:00-02:30 | The Ritz Club & Ekaterina’s casino reputation (Terry’s painful memories) | | 03:11-09:17 | Sona’s suspicions; investigating Ekaterina’s claims; chinchilla jacket incident | | 09:42-10:58 | Legal battle: Ekaterina’s counterclaim and shifting narratives | | 13:57-17:44 | Bridget’s home, unglamorous beginnings of her friendship with Ekaterina | | 17:44-21:18 | Psychological manipulation, Bridget’s vulnerability | | 21:42-24:08 | The elusive Liechtenstein trust and pressure for more money | | 24:08-25:31 | Evidence of wealth: Mayfair apartment ownership | | 26:05-29:37 | Testimonies from concierge, staff, and “infamy” in social circle | | 30:58-34:25 | Inside the Ritz casino: high rolling, check issues, abusive outbursts | | 35:31-37:56 | Control, manipulation, final fight; Roger and Steve’s reflections | | 37:48-38:14 | Bridget hires a private investigator; the 2004 Vienna mugshot surfaces |

Conclusion

This episode deepens the mystery around Ekaterina Barrett—an enigmatic figure with a history of ostentatious living, manipulation, and controversy. Through the testimony of those in her orbit—shop managers, concierges, casino employees, and Bridget herself—a portrait emerges of a woman adept at generating trust, exerting control, and leaving a trail of conflict and financial woe. As the legal battle heats up and old secrets (like the Vienna mugshot) come to light, the central question lingers: Was Ekaterina genuinely rich, or was her opulent lifestyle just another deceit in a long line of cons?

For further case developments, stay tuned for the next episode.