Police Uncover Fraud Scheme Targeting Vulnerable Citizens

A specialized police operation, encompassing key locations in the country, uncovered a fraud scheme targeting vulnerable citizens. The action, conducted in the territories of Sofia, Kyustendil, Burgas, and the village of Rumyantsevo in the Lovech region, reveals the details of a malicious abuse scheme that promised financial assistance but ended in fraud.

The operation, organized by officers of the "Fraud" sector in the General Directorate "National Police" (GDNP), in cooperation with their colleagues from the regional directorates in Stara Zagora, Lovech, Kyustendil, and Burgas, was led by the Regional Prosecutor's Office of Stara Zagora. The on-site work testifies to a well-organized scheme, using the methods of cybercrime for benefit.

During the investigation, the police revealed the mechanism used by two women – a 33-year-old from Kyustendil and a 68-year-old from Blagoevgrad. The scheme started with the publication of ads on a social network, offering loans to individuals with a bad credit history. This lured victims seeking salvation from financial difficulties. After expressed interest, the communication began in an application, and later moved to the phone. The victims were persuaded that they would receive a loan, but only if they first transferred a percentage of the amount as an "approval fee" through a money transfer bureau. It was at this moment that the fraud occurred: after receiving the money, all correspondence with the loan applicants was terminated.

The police actions were taken in conditions of urgency. A search was carried out under the Penal Procedure Code of the two women. Searches and seizures were carried out at three addresses in Kyustendil, Burgas, and the village of Rumyantsevo. Tension reigned on the streets of the cities while the officers were doing their work. SIM cards, mobile phones, plastic cards, notes, notebooks and other evidence were seized from the addresses. Witnesses were questioned to gather a complete picture of the criminal activity.

The two women have been detained for up to 24 hours under the Law on the Ministry of Interior. The work on the case continues, in order to establish a possible involvement in other similar frauds throughout the country. The data collected so far shows that over 30 people have suffered from the investigated criminal activity, which highlights the scale of the fraud and the need for quick action.