British 'Black Widow' fraudster arrested in Tenerife after £300,000 pensioner scam
The 63-year-old fled to the Canary Islands before her trial and has been living in southern Tenerife for more than a year
A British fraudster who has been dubbed the “Black Widow” has been arrested in Tenerife after spending more than a year on the run from a six-year prison sentence in the UK.
Pamela Gwinnett, 63, was convicted of fraud and theft after targeting 89-year-old Joan Green, a vulnerable widow from Lancashire. Prosecutors said she manipulated the pensioner, gained control over her finances and stole almost £300,000.
Gwinnett fled to Tenerife before her trial began in 2025 and was sentenced in her absence. She had yet to serve any of her prison term when Spanish police tracked her down in the south of the island.
According to Spain’s National Police, officers arrested the fugitive on July 14 in Los Cristianos after receiving an international arrest warrant issued by the UK authorities.
Police said she had been living normally in the popular resort town and owned a villa in the area.
The case attracted widespread attention in Britain due to the age and vulnerability of the victim. Investigators found that Gwinnett had presented herself as a friend and carer before gradually taking control of Joan Green’s affairs.
During the trial, jurors heard that she isolated the elderly woman from relatives and friends and used the stolen money to fund her own lifestyle, including mortgage payments and cosmetic treatments.
Judge Michael Maher described Joan Green as a wealthy but vulnerable woman who had worked hard throughout her life and accused Gwinnett of exploiting her trust for financial gain.
Spanish police have not said whether the British woman has agreed to return voluntarily to the UK. However, extradition proceedings are now expected to begin so she can start serving the prison sentence imposed by Preston Crown Court.
Her arrest brings an end to more than a year on the run after one of the UK's most high-profile fraud cases involving an elderly victim.
Images: Policia Nacional / Greater Manchester Police
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