Property fraud in Varna: How is state land stolen?

An organized crime group in Varna has managed to seize numerous municipal and state properties through the use of forged title deeds. The scheme was brought to light by "Democratic Bulgaria" MPs Bozhidar Bozhanov and Stela Nikolova.

GDBOP (General Directorate Combating Organized Crime) investigated effectively, detained individuals, and at the final stage, with the signature of Borislav Sarafov, the case was taken away from the Varna District Prosecutor's Office and transferred to the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, where the case sank and died.

Key revelations in the case:

  • Cadastre involvement: The scheme would not have been possible without inside information from the cadastre, where the criminals were directed to properties that were not explicitly registered as state-owned.
  • The role of notaries: It was established that the transactions were executed by only two notaries.
  • Methods used: The group actively took advantage of properties with expired limitation periods, and residential apartment buildings have already been constructed on some of the seized plots.

MP Stela Nikolova pointed out that the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office refuses to provide information on the case, hiding behind the principle of separation of powers. This case is becoming yet another example of tolerating lawlessness at the high levels of the judicial system.