Bulgarian man conned British taxpayers out of £2.2 MILLION in major benefits scam
A Bulgarian man has been jailed after orchestrating a £2.2million benefits fraud scheme to exploit the UK’s Universal Credit system.
Tanyo Danchev, 39, masterminded a complex operation involving flying Bulgarian nationals into Britain, escorting them to Jobcentres to make false benefit claims, and then swiftly returning them to their home country.
The scam, which ran from 2020 to 2024, saw Danchev use the identities of his fellow countrymen to fraudulently claim Universal Credit.
Department for Work and Pensions investigators uncovered that Danchev controlled the bank cards of the Bulgarian associates involved, withdrawing millions in cash from their accounts.
The fraudster, who had established several businesses in Bulgaria, even claimed benefits for himself during the four-year con.
Danchev’s operation was meticulously planned. He would collect his Bulgarian associates from the airport upon arrival in the UK.
He then drove them to various Jobcentres to submit fraudulent benefit claims in person.
After completing the paperwork, Danchev promptly returned the individuals to the airport for their journey back to Bulgaria.
The Department for Work and Pensions fraud investigators discovered that these Bulgarians were not entitled to Universal Credit.
This was due to their non-resident status in the UK.
Furthermore, the companies they claimed to be employed by were found to be fictitious and non-operational.
Danchev maintained control over the bank cards linked to these false claims.
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He systematically withdrew £2.2million in cash from the associated accounts.
This elaborate scheme allowed Danchev to exploit the UK benefits system for personal gain over a four-year period.
Danchev’s fraudulent activities came to an abrupt end in July when he was arrested upon arrival in the UK.
He was caught in possession of eight bank cards linked to benefits claimants.
Earlier this month, Danchev faced justice at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty to 29 counts of fraud by misrepresentation.
The court sentenced him to seven years in prison for his role in the extensive benefits scam.
Danchev’s case is not an isolated incident in the realm of benefits fraud involving Bulgarian nationals in the UK.
Earlier this year, British authorities uncovered and convicted a Bulgarian gang responsible for the country’s largest benefits fraud to date.
This separate scam cost British taxpayers more than £50million.
Five Bulgarian nationals pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges.
They were collectively sentenced to over 25 years in prison.
The gang’s operation was similar to Danchev’s, involving systematic exploitation of the UK’s welfare system and made false Universal Credit claims using forged documents.
These claims often involved real people living in Bulgaria who were complicit in the fraud.