Romance Blackmail Scams in Bulgaria
Sextortion operations target Bulgarian men and women via dating sites and Facebook, with payment collected through wire transfer or crypto to avoid tracing.
Part of: Romance Blackmail Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Bulgaria sees both domestically targeted sextortion and cases where Bulgarian-speaking operators form part of organised international blackmail networks. Victims are approached via Facebook, Badoo, or local dating sites, with scammers creating convincing profiles of young, attractive Bulgarians or Europeans.
The social leverage is significant: Bulgaria's close-knit community structures — whether urban or rural — mean victims fear rapid social consequences from exposure. Payment is typically demanded in EUR or BGN via bank transfer or Bitcoin, with deadlines of just a few hours.
How this scam works on Bulgaria
A scammer creates an attractive Bulgarian or European profile on Facebook or a dating site, engages the victim in flirtatious conversation, and eventually requests a video call or intimate photo exchange. The interaction is captured and a blackmail demand follows immediately, listing specific Facebook friends the scammer will contact.
Payment of BGN 300–3,000 is demanded via wire transfer, Easypay (a Bulgarian payment network), or Bitcoin. Each payment is followed by an escalating demand. Some operations use a second persona — a fake 'detective' or 'legal advisor' — who offers to mediate the situation for an additional fee.
Bulgarian victims in rural areas or conservative communities face heightened stigma risks, making them more likely to comply without reporting.
Common red flags
- New online contact quickly requests intimate content or escalates to video call
- Profile photos appear AI-generated or are unusually professional
- Immediately after intimate exchange, blackmail demand arrives
- Payment requested via Easypay or crypto — methods with no chargeback
- Scammer lists specific Facebook contacts to demonstrate scope of threat
- A second contact offering to 'resolve' the situation for a fee
How to protect yourself
- Never share intimate content with an unverified online contact
- Review and tighten Facebook friend list and privacy settings
- Do not pay — payment rarely ends the extortion
- Preserve all evidence before blocking the scammer
- Report to the GDBOP cybercrime portal at cybercrime.bg
- Seek support from victim assistance organisations such as Animus Foundation in Bulgaria
How to report it
- Report to GDBOP at cybercrime.bg
- File a complaint with the local Regional Prosecutor's Office for extortion
- Report the profile to Facebook or the relevant platform using in-app tools
Frequently asked questions
Is Easypay a safe way to send money?
Easypay is a legitimate Bulgarian payment service for bills and transfers. However, like any cash-equivalent payment, sending money to an unknown recipient via Easypay offers no buyer protection. Any demand to pay a stranger via Easypay should be treated as a fraud signal.