Minister Welcomes Convictions of Gang Who Tried to Scam £50 Million in Universal Credit Fraud

The Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has welcomed the convictions of a Bulgarian gang which carried out the largest benefit fraud in England and Wales by falsely claiming £50 million in Universal Credit. Galina Nikolova, 38, Stoyan Stoyanov, 27, Tsvetka Todorova, 52, Patrisia Paneva, 26, and Gyunesh Ali, 33, pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering at Wood Green Crown Court in north London and will be sentenced next month. All five are Bulgarian nationals. An investigation by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) identified three so-called benefit factories in London which were being used by the gang. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said benefit factories have the appearance of legitimate businesses but are created with the sole intention of conducting benefit fraud....