Serial fraudster Peter Foster arrested over betting scam
Serial Australian conman Peter Foster has been arrested on fraud charges in far north Queensland in relation to a multimillion-dollar gambling scam.
Foster, a career criminal who has spent time behind bars in Australia, Britain, the United States and Vanuatu, was arrested on a Port Douglas beach around 9am on Thursday following an investigation by NSW Police.
Peter Foster at his home on the Gold Coast in June.Credit:Tertius Pickard
The alleged fraud claimed to use experts to place bets on sporting events, however the money was in fact diverted to Foster, the bets were never placed and the money was allegedly laundered through NSW.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said Mr Foster was arrested by Queensland Police on a warrant linked to a fraud-related matter. She said investigators will apply for his extradition to NSW.
Foster, 59, is well known for his links to dodgy weight-loss products and other scams, as well as absconding from justice.
He famously helped Cherie Blair, wife of former British prime minister Tony Blair, buy properties at a discounted rate. Their unlikely relationship became one of the country's biggest political scandals, dubbed Cherigate.
In June he told The Sydney Morning Herald's PS column his reputation was "putrid", but that he was "a changed man."
From his Gold Coast mansion, Foster said he was unmoved by the prospect of a new podcast featuring explosive secret recordings made by the former maid who was hired to help care for his ailing mother, who died earlier this year.
The recordings included arguments between mother and son over millions of dollars, as well as claims he has two children he refuses to acknowledge.
- with Andrew Hornery
More to come