Migrant convicted of £54M ‘benefit factories’ scam is now on Universal Credit for 1 reason
A notorious fraudster, once jailed for Britain’s largest benefits scam, is back in the spotlight, stirring controversy with her latest claims and actions.
Tsvetka Todorova A Bulgarian woman who took part in Britain’s biggest ever benefits fraud has made (Image: DM)
A Bulgarian woman jailed for her role in Britain’s biggest-ever benefits fraud has sparked anger after claiming Universal Credit following her release from prison. Tsvetka Todorova, who helped steal more than £54million from taxpayers, is now back living in London while receiving state support and insisting she has no plans to leave the UK.
Todorova was sentenced to three years in prison in May 2024 for her part in a vast conspiracy that targeted the UK welfare system. The 54-year-old was one of several gang members who carried out the fraud over more than four years. After completing part of her sentence, Todorova returned to her London home and applied for Universal Credit. She is now receiving payments alongside her husband, who she says earns around £1,300 a month reports the Daily Mail.
Speaking from a rented flat in Erith, she said she was determined to remain in Britain despite facing deportation to Bulgaria.
She told the Mail: “I do not want to leave Britain. My family is here. I love it here, it is good and has helped me.
“I’ve been back on benefits since December 30. It’ll be about £200 a month. I don’t have a right to work. My husband gets over £1,000 for Universal Credit – I think it’s £1,300 – and he gets more as well.”
Government reviews benefit decision
Following inquiries from the Mail, the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed it was looking again at the decision to award Todorova benefits.
Despite previously describing her time behind bars as “like a vacation”, Todorova now claims the court case has left her struggling with her health.
She said: “My husband is depressed. I am depressed as well. I have had high blood pressure because of the case. My husband also has a lot of back pain.
“My benefits account was closed, now it is opening again.”
Fellow gang members also freed
Other members of the fraud ring have also been released from prison and are living in the UK while awaiting deportation. One is said to be enjoying a quiet life, with neighbours claiming she spends her days smoking outside in a dressing gown.
Todorova and four co-conspirators were found to have “systematically plundered” the welfare system by submitting thousands of false Universal Credit claims. The group used around 6,000 stolen identities, including those of children living in Bulgaria.
They ran three so-called “benefit factories” across London, producing fake tenancy agreements, forged payslips and counterfeit letters from landlords, employers and GPs.
Couple Stoyan Stoyanov and Galina Nikolova were also sent to prison over the scam (Image: DM)
Deportation delayed by legal process
Most of the gang are now on immigration bail while confiscation proceedings continue. Deportations cannot take place until those hearings are concluded.
Three members have been ordered to repay just £1million between them, while Todorova and another co-conspirator will face separate confiscation hearings at a later date.
In her interview, Todorova said inmates and staff at HMP Bronzefield were upset when she was released. She declined to apologise for her crimes and continued to insist she was wrongly convicted, despite pleading guilty.
She said: “I was only helping. They have made a mistake with me.
“I have to go to a centre in Croydon because I am on immigration bail. I think I will stay in Britain. They cannot push me. They cannot force me.”
Neighbours raise concerns
Neighbours claimed parcels were frequently delivered to the flat she shares with her husband and alleged the couple often wear expensive clothes.
Another gang member, Patritsia Paneva, who made at least £225,000 from the scam, was also described as living quietly in east London after her release
Officials have recovered around £1million so far and are attempting to reclaim more, though prosecutors said the sums reflect what can realistically be traced.
Prosecutor Gareth Munday told a hearing that one gang member admitted moving “money in cash overseas”.
A Government spokesperson said: “This was a disgraceful crime against the British public, and we are taking rigorous action to recover the stolen funds.
“We are clear – if those involved in this case do not pay back these funds within the required time they could be sent back to prison and then deported.
“In the case of Ms Todorova, we are currently reviewing the decision to award her Universal Credit.”
