Chorley fraudster Pamela Gwinnett who fled to Tenerife to be extradited back to the UK

A Chorley fraudster and fugitive who fled to Tenerife after stealing more than £300,000 from an elderly woman while working at a local nursing home, has been captured in Spain.

Pamela Gwinnett has been arrested and will be returned to the UK to face justice for her crimes, said Greater Manchester Police. After she fled the UK to evade the authorities, the force worked with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Spanish police to track her down on the Spanish island.

Gwinnett was found guilty in 2025 of defrauding Chorley widow Joan Green out of almost £300,000 while she was employed as her caregiver. But Gwinnett fled her home in Greenfield Road, Adlington for the Canary Islands in April 2025 to evade justice.

She was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison in her absence in October 2025, for a number of offences including fraud by abuse of position and theft. At a subsequent Proceeds of Crime hearing, an order for £300,000 was granted.

Hunt for “the Black Widow” of Los Cristianos

When the news reached the Spanish island of Tenerife, residents on social media started to post unverified sightings of the 62-year-old fugitive in the Los Cristianos area.

One British ex-pat living on the island said she was “known on the El Mirador complex as the Black Widow." Another said: "I think I recognise her but she is always dolled up when she is out."

Gwinnett’s victim, Joan Green, of Wigan Lane, Chorley, was 89 when she died in 2022. Gwinnett did some shopping and light cleaning for the pensioner, but then became controlling when she realised Mrs Green was wealthy.

Sentencing Gwinnett to six years at Preston Crown Court in her absence in October 2025, Judge Maher said she had used Mrs Green “as a cash cow to be milked until she was dry."

He added: "The masquerade was so successful that she made the Gwinnett a lasting power of attorney within a relatively short time of knowing her."

The court heard that Gwinnett contrived to isolate Mrs Green from her family - even making bogus accusations against them.

Gwinnett changed Mrs Green's phone number and padlocked the gates at her home - telling carers not to let any family near her.

She opened a bank account in their joint names and siphoned off tens of thousands of pounds. Judge Maher said it was estimated that she "plundered" Mrs Green's estate for more than £300,000.

Judge Maher added: "I sincerely hope that Ms Gwinnett is extradited back to the UK to serve this sentence for these egregious offences. It is an affront to justice and the rule of law for this defendant to be allowed to remain in Tenerife.”

GMP hail capture of fugitive fraudster

GMP officer in charge of the investigation, PC Georgia Loughton, said: “I am pleased that Pamela Gwinnett will be returned to the UK where she will serve her sentence.

“Pamela knowingly defrauded a vulnerable woman out of almost £300,000, cutting off all contact with her family and controlling every aspect of her life.

“She was trusted by Joan, and she used this position of trust to her own financial gain. Joan was isolated from her family and denied from seeing her grandchildren and their children.

“Sadly, Joan passed away in 2022, however we hope that the return of Pamela to the UK to serve her sentence gives Joan’s family a sense of justice as they look to move on with their lives.”

District Commander for GMP’s Bolton district, Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, said: “Our teams have worked alongside the National Crime Agency and Spanish authorities to ensure that Gwinnett is brought back to the UK to face the consequences of her crimes.

“This arrest highlights our commitment to relentlessly pursue those who commit crimes and exploit vulnerable people in our communities. We will take any necessary action to ensure they face justice.

“I would like to thank the team for their diligent investigation which led to Gwinnett’s conviction and now her arrest. I hope this news offers an element of solace to Joan’s family.”