British Expats targets of Bulgarian criminal gangs
British expats living in the coastal area of Dobrich on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, have been targeted by criminals. Police recently arrested a gang who have been praying on ‘expensive’ homes in the area.
Bulgaria became a popular expat destination just after it joined the European Union in 2007 as the real estate market was in its infancy and there were properties to be snapped up for very little money. By local standards, even moderately well off British expats are seen to be millionaires by impoverished Bulgarians living in the area.
The thieves, armed with rifles and gas pistols broke into the homes of half a dozen British families and stole money, jewellery and electrical goods; most of the residents were away at the time but one couple were blindfolded and threatened before the robbers made their getaway. The gangs that roam the area have well planned strategies, casing the joint and watching the movements of the owners before attacking. Most are known already to the local police, but it is not always easy to effect an arrest.
After Spain and France, Bulgaria is now the most popular country in Europe for British expats; in the Dobrich area several thousand have bought retirement homes as the area is generally unspoilt and the cost of living very low.
