Alleged conman Peter Foster arrested in Victoria after months on the run

Accused conman Peter Foster has been arrested in Victoria months after he disappeared from his lawyer’s Sydney office and failed to show in court.

Peter Foster has been on the run since failing to show in court in May. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Accused conman Peter Foster has been arrested in Victoria months after he disappeared from his lawyer’s Sydney office and failed to show in court.

The 59-year-old wanted fugitive was arrested on Tuesday near the Victorian town of Gisborne, following a six-month investigation.

More than a year earlier, he was crash-tackled to the sand in a dramatic arrest on a Far North Queensland beach in August 2020.

Foster is wanted over allegations he swindled $2 million in bitcoin through an Asian online sports trading operation.

But when Forster failed to show in court on multiple fraud-related charges in May, police launched a major investigation to track him down.

His disappearing act came after Foster was in March granted bail under strict conditions, including wearing an electronic device.

Foster was found hiding in a small town in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria.

He has been remanded in custody and will now be extradited to Queensland.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said the apprehension served as a warning to those most dangerous and wanted fugitives hiding in Australia.

“The AFP’s world-leading technical and forensic capabilities is again demonstrating to offenders that there is nowhere to hide,’’ Assistant Commissioner Ryan said.

“This arrest is a considerable result and a testament to the excellent working relationship between the AFP and Queensland Police.

“We have been working hand in glove together and this man would still be at large without their operational input,’’ Assistant Commissioner Ryan said.