Bulgarian prosecutors have opened a high-profile criminal investigation into multiple beauty salons after hundreds of women were secretly recorded during cosmetic procedures and the footage was later published on pornographic websites and messaging groups without their consent. At least two salons in Burgas and one in Kazanlak are being examined as part of the inquiry.
Hidden Cameras, Public Outrage
Authorities say that the secret cameras were placed in rooms where women underwent intimate procedures such as laser hair removal, capturing them — often fully undressed — without permission. Some recordings reportedly date back to 2023 and have circulated on more than ten paid adult platforms, as well as Telegram groups.
Bulgarian prosecutors confirmed the involvement of minors aged 15 to 17 among the victims, raising the seriousness of the case under both criminal and child protection laws.
In Burgas alone, more than 100 complaints have been filed by women reporting that their images appeared online. Many victims have spoken publicly about feelings of humiliation, violation, and distrust, with some recognizing friends and family among those filmed.
Police Action and International Cooperation Investigators have been conducting inspections at the implicated salons, questioning owners, current and former employees, and experts connected to surveillance installations. Searches have also targeted private residences linked to the businesses, with authorities seizing recording devices, hard drives, phones, and DVR systems to trace the origin and distribution of the footage.
Because many of the websites hosting the material are hosted abroad, Bulgarian officials plan to seek assistance from international partners including Interpol and the FBI to remove the content and trace those responsible for its dissemination.
Legal Framework and Potential Penalties
Under Bulgarian law, the unauthorized distribution of pornographic material carries penalties of up to one year in prison and fines between €500 and €1,500. However, in cases involving minors and aggravated circumstances, penalties can rise significantly.
Despite the ongoing probe, no arrests have yet been publicly confirmed, and the salons in question remain open. Owners of at least one studio have denied wrongdoing, suggesting that recorded footage could have originated from hacked security systems — a claim investigators are examining.
Wider Privacy Concerns Reports indicate that similar unauthorized video leaks may extend beyond beauty salons; for example, footage allegedly shot in a gynecological office in Sofia has also circulated on adult sites, highlighting broader concerns about privacy invasions in medical and cosmetic settings.
The unfolding scandal has provoked widespread concern in Bulgaria over personal privacy, data protection, and the safety of individuals undergoing intimate procedures — issues that are likely to fuel further debate as the investigation continues.