Wanted Brookside star’s 15-year life in Spain and £13m rip-off as he continues to evade cops
One of the most wanted men in Britain was reportedly living on the sunny Costa Blanca until May this year. Philip Foster, a former actor who starred in Brookside, spent at least 15 years living in Spain while brazenly making an estimated £13.6 million through ripping off thousands of people, the Liverpool Echo reports.
The ex-soapstar is said to have lived in luxury as he hid in plain sight among expats and tourists. It was thought he was living in Marbella on the Costa Del Sol with his wife Nicola Jones.
But it has now been revealed by the ECHO that Foster moved 500km north to sunny Punta Prima on the Costa Blanca.
Philip Foster(Image: National Trading Standards/NTS Press Office)
Life in the Orihuela Costa
Foster, who played villain Christian Wright in Liverpool-based Brookie, is thought to have blended in among the community of Orihuela Costa while on the run from the National Crime Agency. He was named one of the 12 most wanted fugitives from the UK believed to be in Spain earlier in 2026.
The wanted man is believed to have lived in an apartment block where flats cost €500 a week and frequented the nearby Nautilus Restaurante. One member of waiting staff told the ECHO she recognised Foster from visiting the popular venue.
However his wife Nicola Jones died after suffering from an illness in May. A Guardia Civil spokesperson said she died on May 16 of natural causes.
Philip Foster enjoyed a luxury life in Marbella while profiting off unknowing families
In court documents obtained by the ECHO, Nicola was named as having personally benefited from the money obtained by Foster during an eight-year modelling agency scam which operated across the UK and was run by their son Michael Foster.
She was also said to have not paid tax for the money she received, but she was not convicted when the case was brought before the courts.
Upheaval as authorities place target on Foster’s head
Foster is now said to have left the area since his wife’s death on May 16 just two days after he was named by the NCA as part of its Operation Captura.
Sources have suggested there is a lot of Russian money in the area Foster has just left.
David Pamies, from the Spanish outlet Información, speaking to the ECHO, said: “Russian capital came [into the area]. Russian capital, which in Spain like in all countries, had sanctions. After the [Russia/Ukraine] war, the sanctions were more, and the money [involved in property deals in the area], much of that money cannot be legal. So the transactions aren’t either.
Apartment blocks on the Punta Prima waterfront on the Costa Blanca, where ex-Brookside star Phil Foster is believed to have been living
“It’s under the table, money without tax. That is known, everyone knows it. The business of the people who live here, who settle here, is that there are many changes of second-hand housing, which is very easy. The real estate business is very easy. That’s why it’s also very easy for people to settle here. It’s super fast and with few questions asked.”
Network of lies targeting young people and mothers
The Brit was uncovered as a key figure behind the group of fake modelling agencies defrauding folk out of more than £13.5m. The group conned more than 6,000 victims – mainly mothers and young people – who gave considerable amounts of money under false guarantees of secure paid model work.
Foster, who gave his address as Chermside Road in Aigburth while living in Spain, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison in his absence last year.
He was sentenced alongside others including his son who was sentenced in his absence to three-and-a-half years.
His son, Michael Foster, evaded the police himself for his role in the network and is understood to be missing in the country.
They have been able to hide without bother in heavily British areas.
Michael Foster, son of former Brookside actor and criminal Philip Foster, is wanted and believed to be missing in Spain
Vicki Reilly, who moved to the Orihuela Costa just short of 30 years ago, said: “We call it the Gatwick diploma. So, you get on the plane at Gatwick, and by the time you get off the plane in Alicante, you’re a completely different person.
“Expats stick together, and they trust each other just because they’re from the same country. So, you come to live in Spain.”
Foster’s lavish lifestyle has included flaunting a Rolex and Bentley. His take from the fraudulent network is unknown due to his keen use of cash.
But the amount gained through recorded means was £13,609,404. In total, £1.9 million was transferred to accounts held or controlled by Philip Foster – and large amounts of cash was smuggled into Spain for him by his son.
