# NHIF fraud investigation at St. George Hospital > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nhif-fraud-investigation-at-st-george-hospital > Updated: 2026-10-08T18:09:52.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2. Authorities in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, have launched an investigation into an organized crime group suspected of defrauding the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) of approximately 3 million euros at the UMBAL ‘St. George’ hospital. Prosecutors allege the scheme involved fictitious hospitalizations and manipulated medical records within the hospital’s Rheumatology Clinic. Methods reportedly included using the ID cards of former patients to bypass scanning systems and substituting blood samples from medical staff or sanitary workers to simulate patient activity. Investigators noted that out of 24,000 reported clinical pathways over three years, many patients were either non-existent or only present briefly for blood tests. Six individuals, including doctors and nurses, have been held criminally liable. The prosecution identifies Prof. Dr. Mariela Geneva-Popova, the Dean of the Medical Faculty and Head of the Rheumatology Clinic, as an alleged leader of the group. In light of the findings, members of the NHIF Supervisory Board have called for a review of the hospital’s contract, suggesting termination if the violations are proven. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-08: St. George University Hospital fraud investigation in Plovdiv Six people face charges for allegedly defrauding Bulgaria's National Health Insurance Fund of 3 million euros using fictitious patients and falsified medical data at St. George University Hospital in Plovdiv. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/st-george-university-hospital-fraud-investigation-in-plovdiv ### 2026-10-05: UMBAL St. George investigated for 3 million euro NHIF fraud Bulgarian authorities are investigating a scheme at UMBAL ‘St. George’ in Plovdiv involving fictitious hospitalizations to embezzle over 3 million euro from the National Health Insurance Fund. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plovdiv-medical-dean-detained-in-nhif-fraud-investigation --- Cite as: NHIF fraud investigation at St. George Hospital. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nhif-fraud-investigation-at-st-george-hospital