Convicted Fraudster Begs for Deportation as UK Authorities Hunt Missing Millions

[Social Media]

 

A Bulgarian criminal who played a key role in the UK’s largest benefits fraud is desperately pleading for deportation, but authorities refuse to send him home until they recover the stolen millions.

 

Stoyan Stoyanov, 28, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2024 for his involvement in a staggering £50 million Universal Credit scam, which saw a Bulgarian gang exploit the UK welfare system using fake documents and stolen identities. Despite completing his sentence, Stoyanov remains in the UK on immigration bail while prosecutors continue their search for hidden assets linked to the fraud.

 

At a recent confiscation hearing, a frustrated Stoyanov demanded to be deported, claiming that he has a right to rebuild his life. “Why should my wife and children — all of whom have health issues — continue to suffer?” he asked the judge through a translator. “Where is the fairness in that?”

However, Mr Justice Aaronberg KC dismissed his appeal, reminding Stoyanov of the severity of his crimes and the consequences he must face.

 

Stoyanov was among five gang members jailed for a combined 25 years at Wood Green Crown Court last May. The ringleader, 39-year-old Galina Nikolova — also Stoyanov’s long-term partner — remains in prison, serving an eight-year sentence. Another key figure, Gyunesh Ali, 34, was handed a seven-year term after flaunting his extravagant lifestyle, fully funded by fraudulent benefit claims. His lawyer recently petitioned for Ali to be allowed a games console and a laptop upon release, a request the judge approved.

 

 

Authorities suspect that the fraud’s true scale far exceeds the £50 million already uncovered, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimating that hundreds of millions may still be missing. So far, only £1 million has been recovered from the criminal network.

 

The gang hijacked 6,000 identities to fabricate Universal Credit claims, even using the names of Bulgarian children to bolster their scheme. Operating out of three 'benefit factories' across London, they produced counterfeit tenancy agreements, forged payslips, and fake documents from landlords, employers, and GPs to deceive the DWP. The fraud went undetected for years due to what the judge called “woefully inadequate” fraud checks by UK authorities.

 

The scheme unraveled only by chance when a Bulgarian police officer tipped off UK authorities after noticing criminals in his hometown suddenly living lavish lifestyles, flashing stolen taxpayer money. This led to the arrests of multiple gang members, but some, including Tsvetka Todorova, 53, have already walked free after serving only half their sentences.

 

Todorova, who personally stole nearly £300,000, later boasted to Bulgarian media that her time in a British prison felt like a holiday. “It was like a vacation home,” she said, gloating about access to a gym and art classes.

 

While many involved in the fraud have been caught, authorities remain determined to locate and recover the stolen funds before considering Stoyanov’s request for deportation. For now, he remains stuck in the UK, facing the consequences of his actions.

 

Based on a report by Daily Mail 2025-02-05

 

 

[jippytum]

This foreign fraudster should have retained in jail until the stolen miillions are found. Now he remains free claiming UK benifits after only four years in jail. 

[flyingtlger]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Stoyanov demanded to be deported, claiming that he has a right to rebuild his life. “Why should my wife and children — all of whom have health issues — continue to suffer?”

 

What joke. Next, he'll use the race card. These damn criminals will say and do anything to get pity.....

[ronster]

Pretty sure a lot of people would do 4 years in jail for a few million if you asked them.

4 years is a complete joke of a sentence, meanwhile people who actually need benefits are refused on the most petty reasons and spend years going through the system fighting to get it.

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Stoyan Stoyanov, 28, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2024

Despite completing his sentence, Stoyanov remains in the UK

Somehow I missed that it is the year 2028 already, or does one "complete" a 4 year sentence within a couple of months in the UK?

[Theforgotten1]

Sentenced to 4 years in 2024 and has served his sentence already, there’s the problem 

[Zaphod Priest]

1 hour ago, Theforgotten1 said:

Sentenced to 4 years in 2024 and has served his sentence already, there’s the problem 

 

Possibly not.  He may have been held on remand prior to 2024 and given remission for time served.