The sentences are expected to be announced today at Wood Green Court in North London of the five Bulgarian citizens accused of one of the biggest frauds with social benefits in the United Kingdom, BNR reported.
The Bulgarian gang, consisting of two men and two women – Gunesh Ali, Stoyan Stoyanov, Galina Nikolova, Tsvetka Todorova and Patritsia Paneva, submitted thousands of false applications for assistance under the "Universal Credit" scheme. in the period October 2016 – May 2021. This happened through several companies to assist Bulgarians in obtaining a National Insurance number and some social benefits they are entitled to.
After the applications were submitted, however, the allocated funds remained in the hands of the criminal group and were laundered through numerous bank accounts or withdrawn in cash. It is more than 50 million pounds.
On April 9, all five gang members pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges. The prosecution presented evidence in the form of forged documents, fake leases, fake payslips and forged letters from landlords, employers and GPs. A video was shown of him throwing £20 notes into the air.
Police found wads of currency stuffed into shopping bags and suitcases, as well as a luxury car and designer goods including jackets, blazers, watches and glasses. The sentencing hearing was scheduled for today – May 28.