Bulgarian prosecutors are investigating a fraudulent scheme which has enabled thousands of foreigners to obtain Bulgarian passports by corrupting state officials. The scheme allegedly involved employees of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad who are suspected of having accepted bribes of up to €5,000 to release certificates of Bulgarian origin to thousands of applicants from Macedonia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Press reports claim that 30 percents of certificates the agency issued on the weekly basis were result of this fraud.

Recently, high level Bulgarian politicians, including the deputy PM, minister and an MEP have been named as individuals who have taken part in the fraudulent sale of passports.

For more information, read the article on Euractiv and consult previous news on citizenship in Bulgaria on our country profile pages.