Bulgarian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation after hundreds of women were secretly filmed during intimate cosmetic procedures at beauty salons, with footage distributed across pornographic websites without their knowledge or consent.
Women were filmed by hidden cameras while undergoing laser hair removal and other procedures, often while fully naked. Some recordings date back to 2023 and have since appeared on dozens of pornographic websites and Telegram groups.
More than 100 complaints have been filed with police in the Black Sea city of Burgas alone, according to prosecutor Maria Markova. The scandal has involved at least two beauty salons in Burgas and one in Kazanlak, with authorities now checking salons in other cities across the country.
Among the victims are minors, including teenagers as young as 15 to 17, prosecutors confirmed. The videos appeared on more than 10 paid pornographic platforms, according to domestic media reports.
“First, I recognised my friends and relatives, because quite a few of us visit this salon, myself included, since 2020,” one of the victims told Bulgarian NOVA TV.
“And when I saw a familiar face, I started looking with interest to see if I would see anyone else I knew, and myself, of course. It’s disgusting, humiliating, you feel like you’ve been used.”
“The worst part is that I know someone else might recognise me,” the victim added.
“These photos were sent to me by friends of mine who are in that group,” another victim said. “I feel terrible, disgusted, revolted.”
“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 victim stated.
Bulgarian media have also received tips and alleged video footage from a gynaecological clinic in Sofia. The clips seen by Euronews appear to show women during medical examinations, filmed by a camera placed in a corner of the examination room.
Videos distributed on paid platforms
According to domestic media reports, the victims include public figures, a judge, a prosecutor, journalists, daughters of a regional governor and a police officer.
Some victims say cameras were positioned extremely close and directly facing their intimate areas. Several women claim procedures were livestreamed, with viewers paying for access via cryptocurrency.
“I assume these clips of various people have been watched tens or hundreds of thousands of times,” lawyer Rosen Diev, who is representing victims, told Bulgarian outlets.
“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 footage contained explicit scenes and was shared on platforms including Telegram and Facebook.
“The investigation will determine the mechanism by which the criminal activity was carried out, meaning who had access to the recorded video footage — whether regulated or not, who distributed the materials, and on which websites they were published,” Dimitrov explained.
The investigators now must establish who had access to the cameras and recordings, and how footage was distributed. The websites hosting the videos are based abroad, meaning Bulgarian authorities will seek international assistance, including from Interpol and the FBI, to remove the materials, domestic media reported.
According to Bulgarian law, unauthorised distribution of pornographic material is punishable by one year in prison and a fine of €500 to €1,500. In cases involving minors, the penalties are considerably more severe, prosecutors said.
Salon owners deny responsibility
Despite the revelations and ongoing inspections, the beauty salons remain open for business.
Police have questioned salon owners and current and former employees, but no arrests have been made so far. Salon owners have denied involvement, with some claiming their security cameras have been hacked, according to reports.
“Unfortunately, we have received information that four photos taken in October 2023 in one of our first studios in Kazanlak are available online,” one of the studios told Bulgarian media.
“The photos were taken by an unauthorised camera, which was discovered and removed immediately after the studio opened.”
“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 studio said.