Bulgaria Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams in Bulgaria including Black Sea resort overcharging, online investment fraud and phishing, with official reporting channels.
Emergency number: 112 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Bulgaria attracts millions of tourists to its Black Sea resorts and ski slopes, and is unfortunately associated with overcharging, fake accommodation and organised tourist-area scams. Online fraud has grown substantially, with investment scams, phishing targeting Bulgarian bank accounts, and romance fraud reported frequently. The cybercrime.bg platform (Ministry of Interior) is the primary online reporting portal, and the Commission for Consumer Protection (KZP) handles consumer complaints.
Common scams
- Investment and crypto fraud via online platforms
- Phishing targeting Bulgarian banks (UniCredit Bulbank, DSK, Fibank)
- Tourist overcharging at Black Sea resorts and ski areas
- Online marketplace non-delivery fraud
Tourist-specific scams
- Restaurant overcharging and non-itemised bills in resort areas
- Unofficial taxis at Sofia airport and tourist hotspots charging inflated fares
- Counterfeit goods and fake designer items
- Rigged casino games at some Black Sea resort venues
Online shopping scams
- Phishing SMS and emails impersonating Bulgarian banks
- Fake online shopping sites with no delivery
- Social media investment ads for fraudulent trading platforms
Job scams
- Fake hospitality and seasonal job ads requiring advance fees
- Online task scams paying small amounts before demanding deposits
Romance scams
- Dating-app grooming leading to investment requests
- Social media romance fraud targeting residents and foreigners
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto trading platforms advertising heavily online
- Ponzi schemes disguised as high-yield investment opportunities
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money has been transferred fraudulently
- Report cybercrime via the official portal cybercrime.bg (Ministry of Interior)
- Report consumer fraud to the Commission for Consumer Protection at kzp.bg
- For urgent matters, contact the Ministry of Interior (mvr.bg) or call 112
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the official number on your card or app. Report cybercrime to cybercrime.bg and consumer issues to the Commission for Consumer Protection at kzp.bg.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is cybercrime.bg in Bulgaria?
Cybercrime.bg is the official cybercrime reporting and awareness platform managed by the cybercrime division of the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (GDCOC) within the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior. It has been operating for over 10 years and allows the public to report online crimes.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance