Europe's glamour magazines can't get enough of the story of Kathryn Kechagia Aikterini. The 24-year-old stunner charmed her way into the elite circles of Monaco's high society by claiming she was the daughter of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the USSR.

But there was a fatal flaw in the blue-eyed impostor's story: she didn't speak a word of Russian. When the truth finally caught up with her, Monaco police threw her out of the country, but not before the blonde beauty had wooed the tiny nation's prince. Now questions are being asked about who was behind her fraudulent activity, Italy's La Stampa reports.

It proves again that extreme beauty and big money can make people as credulous as ever. Gorgeous Kathryn Kechagia Aikterini came to Monaco in the beginning of 2007. She came across as an intelligent girl with refined manners, who obviously came from money. Soon she was part of the local high life.

Dazzled by her glamorous style, no one questioned her claim that she was the daughter of the former Soviet leader, even though she didn't know a word of Russian. Her English, however, was quite good.

It all started a year ago when the website of Green Cross International, Mikhail Gorbachev's environmental organisation, published an announcement that it was expanding. It already has offices all over the world and now it was going to launch a department in Monaco.

Later it emerged that Kathryn Kechagia was going to be its head. By that time she was already known as 'Gorby's daughter' among Monaco's elite. The country's Prince Albert, who's known as an active supporter of environmental projects, invited the mysterious beauty to his palace in September 2007. He was enchanted by Kathryn talking about the work of the organisation, and even agreed to become an honorary chairman of the Monaco department.

But according to the French publication, Le Point, the Prince refused the post as early as June. He also refused permission for a branch of Green Cross International to open in his country.

In April this year Kathryn was taken to a mental hospital where she was diagnosed with depression. But she left in a week despite the doctors' advice. 'Kathryn told me she was just very tired," her secretary said.

After a brief sojourn in Switzerland, Kathryn returned to Monaco, but by that time the truth was out that she was not related to Gorbachev.

The question remains: how did she get away with it for a year? Monaco's police say Interpol had no suspicions about the mysterious young lady. Neither did Green Cross International, as the deceiver had made two donations of €10,000.

A lawyer for Kathryn said that he last saw his client in Paris in the summer of 2008, where she told him she was expecting a full apology from the Prince of Monaco. The lawyer says she hasn't heard from her since.

But who is this mysterious lady who hoodwinked Monaco's elite for almost a year? It has been revealed Kathryn Kechagia Aikterini was born in Greece in 1984. She now divides her time between her homeland and Switzerland, having her shares in six different organisations.

Monaco police have speculated that she could be linked to the mafia, who could have hired her to infiltrate the Prince's inner circle.