International conman Peter Foster has been arrested at a house near Gisborne by Australian Federal Police on Tuesday morning.
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Mr Foster, 59, has been on the run from police for the last six months after failing to appear in a Sydney Court.
He was originally arrested in Port Douglas by Queensland Police in August 2020 on multiple state charges relating to alleged $2 million fraud offences.
Mr Foster was granted bail in NSW in March 2021 under strict conditions, which included wearing an electronic monitoring device.
However, on May 20, 2021, he failed to appear for a scheduled plea hearing and the court mandated electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle stopped sending a signal.
Police said they only recently identified Mr Foster living at a location in the Macedon Ranges and AFP's Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team executed an arrest warrant at the location on Tuesday.
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Police said upon execution of the warrant Mr Foster tried to evade police by running, but was "apprehended not far from the front door".
Upon his arrest he declared a medical emergency, for which he is currently being assessed in Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The 59-year-old was facing multiple state charges relating to alleged $2 million fraud offences when he absconded.
Police said he was living quite comfortably at the rural Victoria location. There was another individual at the house at the time of Mr Foster's arrest. Police did not give any further information about the individual.
Mr Foster has been remanded in custody and will now be subject to an extradition process to Queensland.
FAST targets offenders who are the subject of arrest warrants for a range of crimes including murder, child exploitation, manslaughter, drug trafficking, money laundering and serious fraud.
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,'' he 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 thanked Victoria Police, NSW Police and the AUSTRAC-led FINTEL Alliance for their engagement and assistance.
"There is no safe haven for criminals in Australia. The AFP, with our partner agencies, are relentless in ensuring those wanted for crimes face justice," he said.
"The arrest by FAST continues to demonstrate the close relationships the AFP has with state and territory police in combating transnational, serious and organised crime."
The police also thanked the big four banks for sharing information.
More to come.
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