Bulgarian Beauty Salon Scandal: Hundreds of Women Secretly Filmed for Porn Sites, Sparking Nationwide Investigation

Bulgaria - Ekhbary News Agency

Bulgarian Beauty Salon Scandal: Hundreds of Women Secretly Filmed for Porn Sites, Sparking Nationwide Investigation

A disturbing criminal investigation is sweeping across Bulgaria after revelations that hundreds of women were secretly filmed during intimate cosmetic procedures at beauty salons, with the highly personal footage subsequently distributed on dozens of pornographic websites and Telegram groups without their consent. This egregious breach of privacy, with some recordings dating back to 2023, has ignited widespread outrage and a national probe into the illicit activities that have violated the trust and dignity of countless individuals.

The scale of the scandal is significant, with prosecutor Maria Markova confirming over 100 complaints filed with police in the Black Sea city of Burgas alone. The investigation has initially implicated at least two beauty salons in Burgas and one in Kazanlak, prompting authorities to expand their scrutiny to other establishments nationwide. Alarmingly, prosecutors have confirmed that among the victims are minors, including teenagers as young as 15 to 17, elevating the severity of the charges and potential penalties. The illicit videos have reportedly appeared on more than ten paid pornographic platforms, indicating a structured and financially motivated operation.

Victim testimonies paint a harrowing picture of betrayal and humiliation. One woman, speaking to Bulgarian NOVA TV, recounted the shock of recognizing friends and relatives in the footage, then the horrifying realization that she too might be present. "It's disgusting, humiliating, you feel like you've been used," she stated, adding, "The worst part is that I know someone else might recognise me." Another victim expressed profound distress, saying, "I feel terrible, disgusted, revolted" after friends sent her the images. The sentiment of violated trust is pervasive: "We entrust our bodies to this salon for procedures that cost a considerable amount of money, and we expect a certain level of confidentiality, but they secretly film us."

The scope of the alleged illicit filming extends beyond beauty salons. Bulgarian media outlets have also received tips and purported video footage from a gynaecological clinic in Sofia. Clips reviewed by Euronews reportedly show women undergoing medical examinations, filmed by a camera discreetly placed in a corner of the examination room. This expansion into medical facilities underscores a deeper, more pervasive threat to personal privacy within the country's service industries.

Domestic media reports further reveal the high-profile nature of some victims, including public figures such as a judge, a prosecutor, journalists, daughters of a regional governor, and a police officer. This adds another layer of gravity to the scandal, highlighting the widespread vulnerability to such attacks. Some victims have claimed that cameras were positioned extremely close, directly facing their intimate areas, while others allege that their procedures were livestreamed, with viewers paying for access via cryptocurrency. This suggests a sophisticated criminal enterprise designed for maximum exploitation and profit.

Lawyer Rosen Diev, representing several victims, commented on the extensive reach of the content: "I assume these clips of various people have been watched tens or hundreds of thousands of times." He also pointed to the financial motivation, stating, "Everyone can do the basic math — if they are paid 30 euros, what amounts are involved in this illegal activity that the guilty parties have accumulated." Prosecutor's spokesperson Shtelian Dimitrov confirmed the explicit nature of the footage and its distribution on platforms like Telegram and Facebook, reinforcing the urgency of the investigation.

The ongoing investigation aims to meticulously determine the mechanism of the criminal activity, specifically who had access to the recorded video footage, how the materials were distributed, and on which websites they were published. Given that the primary hosting websites for these illicit videos are based abroad, Bulgarian authorities are prepared to seek international assistance from agencies such as Interpol and the FBI to ensure the removal of the content and the apprehension of those responsible. Under Bulgarian law, unauthorized distribution of pornographic material carries a penalty of one year in prison and a fine of €500 to €1,500, with considerably more severe penalties for cases involving minors.

Despite the shocking revelations and ongoing official inspections, some of the implicated beauty salons reportedly remain open for business, a fact that has drawn criticism and concern. Police have questioned salon owners and current and former employees, but as of now, no arrests have been made. Salon owners have largely denied involvement, with some claiming their security camera systems were hacked. One studio, acknowledging the discovery of four photos taken in October 2023 in one of its Kazanlak locations, stated, "The photos were taken by an unauthorised camera, which was discovered and removed immediately after the studio opened." They further added, "We are currently conducting an audit with an external security firm to determine the origin of the photos in question. We are relying on law enforcement agencies to have them removed." The path to justice for the victims and the restoration of public trust will depend on the thoroughness and efficacy of these ongoing investigations.

Ekhbary News Agency