A 24-year-old man from Kameno has been charged with forcing people to take out bank loans and keeping the money, Burgas district prosecutors said. He can be held for up to 72 hours.

Burgas regional police (ODMVR) said yesterday that more victims were reporting him.

How it all started: More victims contact police over Kameno man, 24, accused of loan extortion

Investigators link him so far to loans from several banks worth about €102,000 (200,000 leva). The total could rise if more victims come forward. Prosecutor Maria Markova said it is a large sum.

"The scheme came to light through reports from the victims, and there are quite a few of them," Markova told BNT.

Investigators say the man talked people into taking loans, then kept the money and promised to make the payments himself. He did not pay. Prosecutors say that when people asked for their money back, he threatened and beat them. He told victims he needed the money because he was ill or because relatives needed it.

"In most cases there were threats of both murder and bodily harm," Markova told BNT.

She said the suspect lived well without any official job. Police are investigating extortion, threats and beatings, and the charge is for a serious intentional crime.

Burgas district court found there is reasonable ground to suspect the man committed the crime, and that he could flee or commit another offence.

Forensic medical reports, which will show what injuries the victims suffered, are not ready yet.