A Bulgarian woman who took part in Britain's biggest ever benefits fraud has made a mockery of taxpayers by claiming Universal Credit after being released from jail - while moaning that the court case left her 'depressed'. 

Tsvetka Todorova was jailed for three years in May 2024 for her role in the conspiracy, which stole more than £54million from taxpayers. 

But the 54-year-old has returned to her London home and signed on to Universal Credit alongside her husband, who she says earns £1,300 a month.

Speaking from a rented flat in Erith, Todorova vowed to fight efforts to deport her back to Bulgaria and boasted about her taxpayer-funded lifestyle. 

She told the Mail: 'I do not want to leave Britain. My family is here. I love it here, it is good and has helped me. 

'I've been back on benefits since December 30. It'll be about £200 a month. I don't have a right to work. My husband gets over £1,000 for Universal Credit - I think it's £1,300 - and he gets more as well.'

After being informed by the Mail, the Department of Work and Pensions said it was 'reviewing' the decision to award Todorova the money.

One of her fellow gang members is also said to be enjoying a relaxed lifestyle after being released from prison, with neighbours describing how she spends all her time smoking and walking around in a dressing gown. 

But Todorova - who described her time in prison as 'like a vacation' and boasted of having her hair done and a manicure - claims to now be 'depressed' and ill.

Tsvetka Todorova speaking to the Mail insider her flat in Erith, south-east London 

Her gang raked in more than £54million from Britain's biggest ever benefit fraud

The group hijacked 6,000 identities to make claims for Universal Credit and even used the names of children living in Bulgaria as part of the five-year scam

She said: 'My husband is depressed. I am depressed as well. I have had high blood pressure because of the case. My husband also has a lot of back pain.

'My benefits account was closed, now it is opening again.'

Todorova and four co-conspirators 'systematically plundered' the UK's welfare system over a four-and-a-half-year period by making thousands of false Universal Credit claims.

All of them other than Ali have now been freed from prison and are on immigration bail awaiting deportation.

But this can only take place once confiscation proceedings have concluded against the gang, three of whom - Galina Nikolova, 40, Patritsia Panev, 28, and 29-year-old Stoyan Stoyanov - have been told to pay back just £1million. 

Todorova and Ali will face separate confiscation hearings at a later date. 

In her interview with the Mail, Todorova said prisoners and staff at HMP Bronzefield were 'crying' when she was freed because they were so sad to see her go.