Expected today the court in the London district of Wood Green to pronounce the verdicts against five Bulgarian citizens, accused of one of the biggest frauds with social benefits and money laundering in the United Kingdom, BNR reported.
The trial began on Wednesday, and yesterday new information about the gang's activities was presented in court and the defense was heard.
Galina Nikolova, Stoyan Stoyanov, Tsvetka Todorova, Gunesh Ali and Patritsia Paneva admitted at the first court hearing in April that they siphoned off nearly £54 million in social benefits over a period of four and a half years. This happened through three "hollow companies" and using a set of false documents – identity documents, payslips, letters from landlords, employers, schools and GPs.
The five were arrested in May 2021. Yesterday, however, it became clear in court that even after being released on bail, Stoyan Stoyanov continued to process false applications for social assistance. Stoyanov is a partner of Nikolova, whom the prosecutors identify together with Gunesh Ali as the leaders of the fraudulent scheme. Evidence was presented that even after his arrest, Stoyanov managed to defraud British taxpayers of a further £17,000. The Bulgarian's lawyer, trying to point out mitigating circumstances, stated that Stoyanov "has fully admitted his guilt and that he feels remorse for his deeds".
The prosecutor's office indicated that many more people suspected of participating in the scheme, who have not yet been caught, are being actively investigated.
The youngest member of the gang, Patritsia Paneva, did the "dirty work", often working until 3 a.m. on the fake applications in a windowless room, it became clear in court. She stated the following: "I deeply regret my actions towards this country simply because it has given me so much.". At the end of the day, Judge David Arenberg announced that he will hand down the sentence today, Thursday, May 30.