A friend is leaving the country for Spain to start a new life.?

thing is he's not intending to settle his CC, loan etc. debts before going. According to him no one will bother tracing him for the debts, I've heard different and that the debts are sold to companys who recover the debts. I'm worried he is being far too cocky about all this and in years to come it will all catch up with him. What is the likelyhood ?