A woman branded one of Britain's most prolific benefits cheats has brazenly boasted about a property she owns abroad, despite being ordered to repay millions stolen from the taxpayer.
The £54 Million Universal Credit Scam
Tsvetka Todorova, 54, was part of a criminal gang that siphoned an astonishing £54 million from the public purse. The group, which included four other fraudsters, hijacked thousands of identities to submit roughly 6,000 fake applications for Universal Credit. Todorova was convicted of conspiracy to make false representations and possession of articles for use in fraud.
She was sentenced to three years in prison in May 2024 but served less than two, being released early. Following a public backlash against an initial order to repay only a fraction of the stolen money, a review has now compelled her to pay back her share in full.
Shameless Boasts and Refusal to Pay
Speaking from her rented home in Erith, southeast London, Todorova has shown no remorse. She defiantly vowed not to repay a penny and has drawn attention to a two-bedroom house she and her husband own in Bulgaria.
"Our place in London is rented," she said. "We have a two-bedroom house in Bulgaria that the prosecution has valued at £90,000 but they can't touch it. We are married and the house is in both our names. My husband has no connection to the case." When asked about the property's use, she replied, "We go there for vacation."
Despite the massive fraud, Todorova and her husband have since signed on to claim Universal Credit legitimately. She stated her husband receives approximately £1,300 a month, while she gets around £200, claiming she does not have the right to work.
Ongoing Fallout and Lifestyle
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed it is reviewing Todorova's current benefits entitlement and insists she must repay all fraudulently obtained funds. The convicted fraudster said the review has left her "very stressed" and that she wants money to fix her "broken" teeth.
One of her fellow gang members is also reported to be living a relaxed post-prison life, with neighbours describing her as spending all day smoking and walking around in a dressing gown. The case has highlighted the vast scale of organised benefits fraud and the challenges in recovering stolen taxpayer money, even after conviction.
