A Bulgarian organised crime group has been convicted of stealing £54 million from the UK benefits system in what prosecutors describe as the largest benefit fraud in England and Wales. The gang filed around 6,000 false claims between 2016 and 2021 using forged GP letters and fake payslips.
The five defendants—Galina Nikolova, 38, Stoyan Stoyanov, 27, Tsvetka Todorova, 52, Gyunesh Ali, 33, and Patritsia Paneva, 26—used the money to fund lavish lifestyles, including designer clothes, holidays, watches, and an Audi sports car. Police found up to £750,000 in bank notes stuffed in suitcases at one of their homes.
The gang operated three “benefits factories” that purported to help people obtain national insurance numbers and benefits. After applicants submitted claims, the gang took control and laundered the proceeds through multiple bank accounts and cash withdrawals.
Specialist CPS prosecutor Ben Reid said: “This case is the largest benefit fraud prosecution ever brought to the courts in England and Wales. This was a sustained attack on a system that is supposed to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”
All five pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering offences and will be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on 28 May. Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, praised investigators and warned: “If you are committing benefit fraud, you are cheating the taxpayer, and we will catch you.”
