Convicted fraudster Philip Barry Foster arrested in Spain under Most Wanted campaign
The National Crime Agency said he is wanted to serve an eight-and-a-half-year sentence.
A fourth man featured on the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Most Wanted campaign has been arrested in Spain.
Philip Barry Foster, 51, was detained by officers from the Guardia Civil on 17 September in the Alicante area. Extradition proceedings to return him to the UK are now underway.
Foster was wanted to serve an eight-and-a-half-year sentence after being convicted of fraud and money laundering. The NCA said a Trading Standards investigation found he persuaded victims they could earn money as professional models, taking substantial sums in return for poor-quality digital photographs that were not usable to secure legitimate work.
The campaign began after Foster jumped bail. He was convicted and sentenced in his absence in February 2025, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest. The NCA said Foster is the 102nd fugitive to be arrested since the start of the Most Wanted campaign.
In statements, NCA Deputy Director International Rick Jones said Foster’s arrest shows the campaign’s ongoing success and the NCA’s commitment to tracking down people wanted by UK law enforcement.
The NCA added that the Most Wanted campaign is run with independent charity Crimestoppers, the Spanish Ministry of Interior, Spanish law enforcement partners and UK policing. Anyone with information about remaining fugitives is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously, including using the Spanish and UK contact routes provided by the charity.
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Source:
nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk