Philip Foster, 51, a former Brookside actor, has been arrested in Alicante after fleeing the UK before his trial in a £13.6 million modelling fraud. He was convicted in absence at Sheffield Crown Court in February 2025 and sentenced to eight-and-a-half years. National Trading Standards found more than 6,000 victims paid for fake modelling opportunities run from Marbella; extradition to the UK is now under way.
Ex-Brookside Actor Arrested in Alicante After Fleeing £13.6m Modelling Fraud
Philip Foster played Christian Wright in the Merseyside TV soap [National Trading Standards]
Philip Foster, a former actor from the Liverpool soap Brookside, has been arrested in Alicante, Spain, after fleeing the UK ahead of his trial on allegations tied to a £13.6 million modelling fraud.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed that Foster, 51, who played Christian Wright, was convicted in his absence at Sheffield Crown Court in February 2025 of fraud and money laundering and was handed an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Officers detained him on Thursday in Alicante and extradition proceedings to return him to the UK are now under way.
What Authorities Say
National Trading Standards (NTS) and other investigators say Foster ran a long-running racket from his base in Marbella that exploited the hopes of aspiring models and their families. A six-year NTS probe found that more than 6,000 victims paid substantial sums after being lured by sham agencies and studio offers, with total losses estimated at around £13.6 million.
How The Scam Worked
- Victims were targeted through local photographic studios and social-media adverts and then told they showed potential.
- They were instructed to buy portfolio photographs from the affiliated studios in order to be considered for agency representation.
- Some were encouraged into credit agreements or took out expensive payday loans to cover the upfront fees.
- In most cases, payment resulted only in poor-quality digital images and no paid modelling work.
Scale And Impact
Investigators say Foster used a network of associates in England to run sham agencies and studios across major cities including London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Coventry and Nottingham. Prosecutors say he spent part of the proceeds on luxury watches and cars. Many victims described being left financially and emotionally devastated, and feeling humiliated and betrayed.
Next Steps
Foster has been taken into custody in Spain while British authorities pursue extradition. If returned to the UK, he will be required to serve the eight-and-a-half-year sentence imposed in his absence following the Sheffield Crown Court conviction in February 2025.
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