Britain’s biggest-EVER benefits fraudsters are busted: Gang of five Bulgarians plundered 54 MILLION off UK taxpayers in fake ID scheme to fund life of luxury, frolicking in banknotes and buying watches, clothes and fast cars… but now face YEARS in jail [Video]

19:07 EDT 09 Apr 2024 , updated 20:55 EDT 09 Apr 2024

A gang of five Bulgarians have pulled off Britain’s biggest ever benefits fraud raking in almost £54million after using thousands of fake ID claims to fuel their luxurious lifestyles. 

The crooks, who now face years in jail, used a combination of fake identities and real customers to make roughly 6,000 fraudulent Universal Credit claims during four-and-a-half year spree, operating out of three ‘benefits factories’ in north London.

One of the hubs was behind a functioning corner shop selling groceries. The group appeared to be hiding in plain sight – posting photos on social media smiling and posing behind the counter of Antonia’s Foods supermarket in Wood Green. 

The enormous haul of money gained from their ‘complex financial web’ of claims was laundered through a number of accounts, then withdrawn in cash – with £750,000 in bank notes found stuffed in suitcases at one of their homes.

Investigators who arrested the …