‘Britain’s Most Wanted’ Tax Fugitive Caught Walking Dogs in Spain
Sarah Panitzke, a notorious tax fugitive from York, was arrested by Spanish Guardia Civil officers working with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The 47-year-old was snapped up while casually walking her two dogs in the quiet town of Santa Barbara, near the Catalan coast, on Sunday morning (February 27).
On the Run for Nine Years
Panitzke vanished in May 2013 during her trial for money laundering. Since then, she’s been one of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) most wanted criminals. She was convicted in her absence and slapped with an eight-year prison sentence.
Alongside 16 accomplices, she was handed sentences totaling 135 years for masterminding a huge multi-million pound VAT fraud. The scam involved funneling millions through offshore bank accounts to dodge taxes.
HMRC and NCA Praise Teamwork and Persistence
Simon York, Director of Fraud Investigation Service at HMRC, said:
“Sarah Panitzke was one of Britain’s most wanted tax fugitives. She played a pivotal role in a multi-million-pound VAT fraud and moved millions through offshore accounts. Panitzke thought she was beyond our reach, but with relentless UK and international efforts, we tracked her down. No tax criminal is untouchable.
“Since 2016, we’ve helped bring back over 60 fugitives, including some of the UK’s worst tax cheats.”
Tom Dowdall, NCA International Deputy Director, added:
“Sarah Panitzke has been on the run for almost nine years. She might have thought we stopped looking, but she never left our radar. Thanks to close cooperation with partners in Spain, we caught her. She will face extradition to the UK and serve her prison term.
“This is a clear warning: no matter how long it takes, we won’t stop until we catch those on our most wanted list.”
Back Behind Bars
Panitzke is now in custody in Spain and awaiting extradition. When she returns to the UK, she faces eight years behind bars for her role in the scam.
