Convicted Fraudster Philip Foster Arrested in Spain

Convicted fraudster Philip Foster has been arrested in Spain after being wanted in the UK for fraud and money laundering.

A British fraudster wanted in the UK has been arrested in Spain after being featured in the National Crime Agency’s latest Most Wanted campaign.

Philip Barry Foster, 51, was arrested by officers from Spain’s Guardia Civil on September 17 in the Alicante area. UK authorities are now beginning extradition proceedings to return him to Britain.

Foster was wanted to serve an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence after being convicted of fraud and money laundering. A Trading Standards investigation found that he had convinced victims they could earn money by working as professional models.

Instead, victims were allegedly charged substantial amounts of money for poor-quality digital photographs that could not be used to obtain legitimate modelling work. National Trading Standards said Foster’s activities left thousands of victims in serious debt and facing significant financial pressure.

After being released on bail, Foster failed to surrender and left the UK. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced in his absence in February 2025, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest.

His arrest makes him the 102nd fugitive to be arrested since the NCA’s Most Wanted campaign began. The campaign is run by the NCA alongside Crimestoppers, the Spanish Ministry of Interior, Spanish law enforcement agencies and UK police forces.

The NCA said the campaign has continued to target fugitives believed to be hiding overseas, with Spain a particular focus because of the significant number of British nationals living there and the established law-enforcement relationship between the two countries.

Rick Jones, NCA Deputy Director International, credited the Guardia Civil with making Foster’s arrest possible and said British and international law-enforcement agencies would continue working to return fugitives to the UK.

Foster’s case now moves to the extradition process before he can be returned to Britain to begin serving his sentence.

The NCA’s latest arrest comes as authorities continue targeting fraudsters who operate across borders and attempt to avoid prosecution by leaving the UK.

Source: National Crime Agency