Fugitive Sarah Panitzke Nabbed After Nine Years on the Run
Sarah Panitzke, York-born and once Britain’s most wanted tax fugitive, was arrested by Spanish Guardia Civil officers working with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The 47-year-old was snapped up while walking her two dogs in the coastal town of Santa Barbara, near Catalonia, on Sunday morning (27 February).
Caught Cold: Panitzke’s Long Flight Ends
Panitzke vanished in May 2013, right in the middle of her money laundering trial. Since then, she’s been a key figure in the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) most wanted list. Convicted in her absence, she faces eight years in prison, alongside 16 co-conspirators handed a combined 135-year sentence for a massive multi-million pound VAT fraud scam.
HMRC and NCA Praise Cross-Border Teamwork
Simon York, HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Director, slammed Panitzke’s criminal empire:
“Sarah Panitzke was one of Britain’s most wanted tax fugitives. She masterminded a multi-million pound VAT fraud, funneling millions through offshore bank accounts. She thought she could outrun HMRC, but thanks to joint efforts with UK and international forces, we’ve caught another tax cheat. No tax criminal escapes us.”
Tom Dowdall, NCA’s International Deputy Director, added:
“Panitzke ran for nearly nine years but never slipped off our radar. UK and Spanish forces worked hand in hand to catch her. We’re now pushing for her extradition to serve time in the UK. This is a warning to all on our wanted list — we will track you down no matter how long it takes.”
Prison Sentence Looms After Extradition
Panitzke is now in custody in Spain. Once extradited, she will face her eight-year prison term in the UK, finally paying the price for her part in one of the country’s largest VAT frauds.
