A woman labelled among Britain’s “biggest benefits cheats” after she and her accomplices stole £54million has boasted about owning a property – which she has declined to sell.
Tsvetka Todorova, 54, was originally told to repay just a fraction of her fraudulent earnings after she and four other con artists submitted approximately 6,000 bogus Universal Credit claims. The ruling sparked outrage, prompting authorities to demand Todorova reimburse her entire portion.
Nevertheless, the fraudster – who received a three-year prison sentence but served under two years – has now had the audacity to boast about a property she and her spouse possess, refusing to part with it. She stated: “Our place in London is rented. 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 questioned about the property’s purpose, Todorova responded: “We go there for vacation.”
Todorova secured early release from prison despite her three-year sentence handed down in May 2024.
Following her discharge, she registered for Universal Credit along with her husband, who she claims receives £1,300 monthly.
Speaking from her residence in Erith, southeast London, Todorova pledged not to repay a single penny. This comes despite an investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) into the Todorova family’s benefits claims.
The DWP informed the Daily Mail the woman would be required to reimburse all the funds she has collected.
The offender, originally from Bulgaria, told the publication she had been notified by the DWP that her entitlement to benefits was under review, before it emerged she would be obliged to return the money.
She stated she felt “very stressed” and wanted funds to repair her “broken” teeth, which were causing her discomfort.
In previous statements, Todorova had told journalists she “loved it” in Britain, adding: “I’ve been back on benefits since December 30. It’ll be about £200 a month.
“I don’t have a right to work. My husband gets over £1,000 for Universal Credit – I think it’s £1,300 – and he gets more as well.”
One of her fellow gang members is also reported to be living a comfortable lifestyle following her release from prison, with neighbours describing how she occupies her time smoking and wandering about in a dressing gown.