Veliko Tarnovo Vehicle Inspection Fraud Exposes Dead Man’s ID Used for 123 Cars

A large‑scale fraud scheme was uncovered in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, after a joint operation by the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior and the District Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators found that between 2021 and 2023, 123 light vehicles received annual technical inspection certificates under the name of a specialist who had already died, using his personal ID card. Four of those cars never visited the inspection point yet were issued road‑worthiness certificates.

The chief inspector of the Economic Crime Counteraction Sector, Sezgin Sadzhkov, said the irregularities create a safety risk by allowing technically unsafe vehicles on the roads. The inspection point’s activity has been temporarily suspended by the Executive Agency for Vehicle Administration. Documents have been seized, witnesses questioned and forensic examinations (graphology and video‑technical) are planned. No arrests have been made yet. Authorities intend to audit all vehicle‑inspection stations in the region to prevent similar abuse.