Five Members of Record-Breaking Benefit Fraud Gang in Bulgaria Convicted

Bulgaria - The largest benefit fraud case in England and Wales, involving over £50 million in falsely claimed Universal Credit, resulted in the conviction of five Bulgarian nationals.

Convicted Individuals

• Galina Nikolova, 38
• Stoyan Stoyanov, 27
• Tsvetka Todorova, 51

Prison Sentences

• Galina Nikolova: 8 years
• Stoyan Stoyanov: 5 years
• Tsvetka Todorova: 3 years

Two Individuals at Large

Two additional members of the gang, whose identities remain unknown, are currently at large. European Arrest Warrants have been issued for their capture by British authorities.

Fraudulent Activities

The criminal organization targeted the welfare system by:

1. Exploiting vulnerabilities
2. Using false identities
3. Claiming Universal Credit on behalf of non-existent individuals

Extensive Investigation

The gang’s activities were traced back to Bulgaria and led to the identification and dismantling of the criminal network.

Collaboration between British, Bulgarian, and European Union authorities was essential in:

• Discovering the source of the fraudulent activity
• Protecting the welfare system against further damage

Stripped of Ill-Gotten Gains

Convicted individuals have been stripped of their ill-gotten gains, and charges against the remaining members continue to be pursued.

Warnings and Encouragement

Images of the convicted members have been released as a reminder of the seriousness of committing fraud against the state and the long-term consequences involved.

Contacting Authorities

Anyone with information about these individuals or the wider criminal network is urged to contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously.

Targeting Fraudulent Activities

Police and prosecutors will continue to target such fraudulent activities to protect the welfare system for the honest citizens who rely on it.

Significant Progress in Combating Fraud

The sentencing marks a significant step towards combating benefit and economic crime and has resulted in a considerable reduction in criminal activities linked to this network.

Collaboration is Key

This serves as a reminder that collaboration between law enforcement agencies, European bodies, and the public is essential in bringing those involved in such criminal activities to justice.