Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

A Bulgarian drained 2.2 million pounds from the UK social system

Photo: EPA/BGNES

A Bulgarian siphoned 2.2 million pounds from the money of British taxpayers, the "Sunday Telegraph" reports. The scheme involved flying Bulgarians to Britain, transporting them to jobcenters to apply for benefits and returning them to their homeland.

For four years, Tanyo Danchev used the identities of other people with the intention of claiming Universal Credit. According to the investigation authorities, he controlled the bank cards of the other Bulgarians involved in the scheme and withdrew over two million pounds in cash from their accounts.

The 39-year-old Bulgarian was recently sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to 29 counts of fraud at Snaresbrook Court.

Earlier in the year, a group of five Bulgarians were convicted of the biggest fraud with benefits in the UK, which cost more than 50 million pounds, BNR correspondent in London Veselin Paunov recalls.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Hristijan Mickoski

North Macedonia's PM rules out unconditional constitutional recognition of Bulgarians

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said his government will not unconditionally recognise Bulgarians in the country’s constitution.  “Nobody has the right to expect this government to make constitutional changes unconditionally,” he told..

published on 10/17/25 2:36 PM

Bulgarian rectors propose Danube University Alliances

‘The Bulgarian Rectors’ Council has proposed the creation of Danube University Alliances,’ said Professor Miglena Temelkova, the Council's chair, at the ‘Days of Bulgaria in Kecskemét, Hungary’ forum. The idea is for the alliances to include..

published on 10/17/25 2:13 PM
PM Rosen Zhelyazkov (L) and GERB leader Boyko Borissov.

GERB and DPS-New Beginning rule out early elections

‘This is not the time for early elections,’ said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at a GERB party conference. According to BTA, he was opposed to holding elections during the country’s planned adoption of the euro in 2026. GERB chairman Boyko..

published on 10/17/25 1:12 PM