site.btaInterior Minister Reports 155 Pre-Trial Proceedings Over Euro-Related Fraud, Hacking

Since the beginning of 2025, a total of 155 pre-trial proceedings have been launched in connection with hacker attacks and online fraud schemes related to Bulgaria’s upcoming euro adoption, Interior Minister Daniel Mitov said during a meeting of the national information campaign on the euro adoption, held at the Business Incubator in Kardzhali on Monday.

Mitov noted that the statistics show how this battle is ongoing, even if not always visible, with criminal groups and individuals attempting to exploit the situation. At the same time, however, institutions are countering these attempts, “so far successfully”, he stressed.

The Interior Minister emphasized that the introduction of the single European currency is the result of many years of national efforts by successive Bulgarian governments. He underscored that euro adoption will allow the Bulgarian economy to be seen as far more stable and competitive – an economy increasingly worth investing in.

One of the most important messages from the perspective of the Interior Ministry, Mitov said, is for Bulgarian citizens to know that there is a fixed exchange rate for the introduction of the euro.

Through local authorities and the media, he urged people not to fall victim to fraud attempts, warning of potential schemes involving individuals posing as bank or police officials and offering supposedly “better” exchange rates.

Mitov also reported that by September 23, the Interior Ministry had conducted more than 2,000 awareness campaigns targeting vulnerable groups and over 1,200 meetings with administrative heads of Bulgarian Posts and banks. To ensure effective protection of citizens during the currency transition, 31 dedicated teams have been set up across the country to respond to reports of fraud attempts, he added.

The aim of the campaign is to provide citizens with clear, detailed and reliable information on the main stages and deadlines of the euro introduction process.

The euro information meetings are a joint effort between the responsible institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Bulgarian National Bank, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), the National Revenue Agency, the Financial Supervision Commission, the National Social Security Institute, among others.

The nationwide information campaign was launched in Burgas (on the Black Sea) on September 2. Bulgaria is set to adopt the euro as of January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st member of the euro area.