Ex-Brookside star’s son ‘murdered whereas on the run’ as police ‘impose secrecy order’
A wanted criminal who was on the run in Spain is said to have been murdered. Ex-Brookside actor Philip Foster, 51, has claimed his son Michael Foster was killed in Spain.
A court heard the claim as he was jailed for nine years last week. Foster had been living in the Punta Prima area of the Costa Blanca in Spain.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Crimestoppers released an appeal earlier this year naming him as one of the UK’s most wanted criminals believed to be living in Spain. He fled to Spain when he was bailed ahead of a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court where he was due to be sentenced in February 2025.
Phillip Foster and eight associates have been sentenced for their part in a £13.6m fraud(Image: National Trading Standards/NTS Press Office)
A National Trading Standards investigation found he controlled a sham modelling network which saw him make more than £13 million from upwards of 6,000 victims, the Liverpool Echo reports.
His network of sham agencies and photography studios spread across the country including London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Coventry, and Nottingham. Victims were then invited to a “free” test shoot at the photographic studio, which turned out to be a ruse to try to extort cash from them.
They were given a studio experience, handed glossy brochures and told how successful others had been. Victims were then told that they passed their studio test and that modelling agencies were interested, but they needed to purchase their portfolio photographs in order to join an agency and become a model for it.
Philip Foster being arrested by armed Guardia Civil officers in the Orihuela Costa, Spain
Victims were duped by the group who, between them, gave a good impression of running successful model businesses and lied to them about their potential. Millions of pounds was taken from aspiring models, with some coerced into financing the upfront payment through credit deals arranged by the fraudsters or taking out expensive payday loans.
But victims received poor quality digital photos that stood no real chance of landing them professional jobs. And virtually none of the victims received any paid modelling work. The sham agencies were often dissolved after short periods and repeatedly rebranded to avoid detection. They paid no tax.
Philip Foster is believed to have lived in Spain while the scam was carried out. His son Michael reportedly travelled between the UK and Marbella on commercial flights to deliver money, while he would also be responsible for running the on-the-ground operations in his dad’s absence.
Former Brookside actor Philip Foster
Armed police from the Guardia Civil detained Foster in Torrevieja earlier this year, following an investigation by the Echo. Officers said he was detained as officers investigated a murder in the area.
Philip Foster, originally from Liverpool, was arrested and found to be in possession of fake ID documents, along with €22,000. He was extradited earlier this month before appearing via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs in London last Friday (October 16) for his sentencing hearing.
Judge David Dixon branded him a “coward”. He was jailed for nine years, which included an extra six-month sentence for absconding and failing to surrender to bail.
Apartment blocks on the Punta Prima waterfront on the Costa Blanca, where ex-Brookside star Philip Foster is believed to have been living(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Sheffield Crown Court was told Foster had been bailed before sentencing to sort affairs with his wife, Nicola Jones, who had cancer. She had, at times, been a co-defendant during the case. But Foster and Jones fled to Spain, where she died in May this year. Their son is thought to have joined them too.
Anthony Barraclough, defending Foster, said his client remained in Spain due to grief. He said this was not only for his wife, but also because their son, Michael Foster, was believed to have been murdered last year around Christmas time.
The lawyer revealed Foster himself had been questioned by Spanish police over the alleged murder when he was eventually arrested last month. He also said that Spanish police had introduced a secrecy order, as is often the case with murders, which prevents any information being reported or shared.
The barrister told the court: “The Spanish have imposed a blanket of secrecy in relation to that. He has had a great deal going on, of a terrible nature, but he is nevertheless an absconder.”
Merseyside Police told the Echo that officers had received a concern for safety of a 28-year-old Merseyside man in Spain. A spokesperson said: “We can confirm a report was received of concern for the safety of a 28-year-old Merseyside man in Spain.
“We are assisting the National Crime Agency and the Spanish authorities conducting the investigation, and have offered the family of the man specialist support.”
It remains unclear as to what has happened to Michael Foster while on the run abroad. Authorities were hesitant to comment further.
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