A long-running financial dispute involving a woman once known for her extravagant lifestyle in Monaco and London’s Mayfair has returned to the spotlight, years after the story first surfaced…

The case centres on Ekaterina Barrett, a flamboyant figure who was often seen in luxury boutiques and casinos, and Bridget Hutchcroft, the owner of the Pandora Dress Agency in Knightsbridge. The two women became acquainted in 2017 after meeting in Hutchcroft’s shop, but what began as a casual friendship later turned into a bitter legal battle over large sums of money.

According to Hutchcroft, the relationship took a dramatic turn when Barrett asked for a short-term loan, claiming she was facing temporary financial difficulties following the death of a business associate. Hutchcroft says she agreed to help, but the requests continued and the total amount transferred eventually exceeded £1 million. The funds, she says, were intended for family expenses, retirement plans and tax obligations.

The dispute has since played out across several jurisdictions. A UK court ruled that Barrett owed Hutchcroft more than £1.6 million, including interest, but the debt has largely remained unpaid. Legal action has continued in multiple countries, including Monaco, Liechtenstein and Austria.

Barrett has also faced legal trouble in Monaco itself. In 2024 she appeared before the Monaco courts over two separate theft allegations; one involving a pair of designer Balenciaga boots taken from a luxury boutique in Monte-Carlo and another concerning cash taken from a bag at the Hotel Métropole. She denied the accusations, but the court found her guilty and imposed a fine of €5,000. The convictions are currently under appeal.

The case has drawn renewed attention following a detailed investigation by BBC journalist Vicky Baker for the Fraudacious podcast, produced with BBC Studios. Baker’s reporting revisits the extraordinary story and examines the legal proceedings that continue to surround Barrett.

Readers of News.MC may recall that we first reported on the saga three years ago, when Hutchcroft travelled to Monaco in search of the woman she once considered a friend. Despite years of court rulings, appeals and new allegations, the affair appears far from resolved.

Image: Bridet Hutchcroft (right in the picture)