Police raided four call centres in Burgas, Varna and Sofia in an operation against an organised gang suspected of online investment fraud and money laundering, the GDBOP organised crime directorate said.
The raids took place on Tuesday, 20 October. In Burgas, officers entered a site on Atanas Burov street in the Madika district through the balcony and windows to search it. The other call centres are one in Varna and two in Sofia.
GDBOP says the gang phoned people in EU countries and tricked them into putting money into cryptocurrencies and financial products, promising quick, high profits. It used fake investment platforms built with artificial intelligence.
The victims' money was taken through "money mules", GDBOP said. These are people on low incomes, in whose names firms were registered and accounts opened in Bulgarian banks.
Losses are at least €600,000. Investigators have so far found more than 200 bank transfers.
Police searched 16 addresses in several towns and cities. They seized computers, electronic devices, USB sticks, documents and about €20,000 in cash.
The anti-mafia unit in Varna is leading the operation, with help from the economic police, under the supervision of the Varna regional prosecutor's office.
Nine people were detained for 24 hours. Four of them have been charged with taking part in an organised criminal group, fraud and money laundering, under articles 321, 209 and 253 of the Criminal Code. Custody for two of the four was extended to 72 hours.