Bulgarian gang stole £67m from UK taxpayers in largest benefits scam

Five Bulgarian nationals have been convicted and are facing jail time for their involvement in a massive benefit fraud scheme. According to *The Metro News*, they stole an estimated 54 million pounds (Rs 5,67,1668600), making it the largest benefit fraud ever recorded in Britain.

The group, consisting of Galina Nikolova (38), Stoyan Stoyanov (27), Tsvetka Todorova (52), Gyunesh Ali (33), and Patritsia Paneva (26), pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and money laundering. Their operation involved making thousands of fraudulent Universal Credit claims over a period of five years, from October 2016 to 2021.

They used various methods to deceive the system, including creating fake identities and submitting forged documents such as tenancy agreements, payslips, and letters from landlords, employers, and even GPs. The gang persistently resubmitted rejected claims until they were approved.

Authorities discovered “benefit factories” set up in London, which acted as fronts for the criminal activity. These businesses posed as legitimate agencies but were taken over by the gang after the applicants submitted their claims.

An investigation revealed a money laundering scheme used to clean up the stolen funds. The full details of the sentencing are yet to be announced.

Ben Reid, the Specialist Prosecutor representing the CPS, characterized it as a “complex and challenging case” requiring “close and effective work” among UK authorities, Bulgarian counterparts, and the European Union crime agency, Eurojust.