Brit soap star who conned 6,000 aspiring models out of £14million by running fake agency is arrested in Spain

A FORMER TV soap star who was listed as one of Britain’s Most Wanted has been arrested on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Philip Foster, 51, has been captured in the town of Torrevieja south of Alicante after a massive manhunt lasting over a year. Phillip Foster was held on an international arrest warrant in Alicante Credit: PA The Civil Guard arresting Foster on Thursday Credit: SOLARPIX.COM Foster played Christian Wright in the long-running Channel 4 series Brookside, which aired from 1982 to 2003. The TV actor ran a network of fake modelling agencies for more than eight years. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The conman swindled more than 6,000 victims out of a total of £14million on false promises to secure modelling jobs. Auhtorities slapped Foster with an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence in Sheffield last year – but the wanted man did not appear in court. The Brookside star had already fled the country and was reportedly hiding out in the Spanish sunshine. In May last year the National Crime Agency appealed to the public for help to track down the fraudster for his jail term after he went on the run. The agency said at the time: “Foster has been convicted over a fraud operation that used fake modelling agencies and photography studios to con victims out of large sums of cash. “Victims were told they could earn money as professional models, but were instead handed poor quality, digital photographs that were not usable to secure professional jobs. Most read in The Sun Cops stormed his hideout in Alicante – and finally brought the conman to justice Credit: SOLARPIX.COM The ex-TV star swindled millions out of desperate wannabe models with his fake agency Credit: SOLARPIX.COM “Foster is wanted to begin an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence. If you have information, contact Crimestoppers.” Now, Civild Gurad officers have located the fiend and slapped him in handcuffs. Dramatic footage shows the moment heavily armed police swooped on the former TV star. He was known to have links to Marbella on the Costa del Sol and that was where police believed he could be in hiding. Eight other people were sentenced in relation to the fraud and an arrest warrant was issued for Foster and an associate after both failed to appear in court. His address was given as Chermside Road, Liverpool, but he operated from his base in Spain. The scam was uncovered in a six-year investigation by National Trading Standards. NTS Chairman Lord Bichard said after the ex-actor’s sentencing his “cruel exploits left thousands of victims in serious debt, causing lasting emotional distress and significant financial pressures.” He becomes one of more than 250 British fugitives Spanish police have arrested since 2019. Foster’s son, Michael, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in absentia for his part in the scheme and is also believed to be hiding out in Spain. More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us on TikTok @TheSun. Comment now