"The Samokov Sting" Samokov by samokov_sting

The Samokov Sting, I think most of us who know the ski resort of Borovets, have heard about some of the shenanigans that go on in winter when some of the unscrupulous ski instructors (and I do emphasise SOME) apply their trade of instructor 2nd - property agent 1st.

Well guess what folks; you can now even bump into one or maybe more of their associates in Samokov town.

We all like a drink, or a meal out from time to time - but beware - lurking in some of the restaurant bars in Samokov you may be unlucky enough to bump into one of the pretty disorganised associates of the crew that carry on the practise of the Samokov Sting.

What happens in Samokov town out of ski season is this. The associate (we will call W), trawls the restaurants & bars looking for unsuspecting foreigners, mainly English, to be lured back to the team’s restaurant headquarters. Here you will be introduced to the head honcho of this motley crew, who we will call I.

Here you will be anxiously sweet talked. The reason for this is because, as described earlier, the “motley crew” has no sense of sophistication hence one of the reasons why you may be introduced to the new associate to the crew who we will call B.

So here you have in front of you the subsidiary of perhaps, a bigger picture. Now let’s break this down and describe the players of this motley crew before we get to how the Samokov Sting works.

Head honcho I, once described as “a two bob ski instructor” reels in his prey mainly from the slopes of Borovets and, if he can, his restaurant in Samokov town.

The stalker W, well, his job is to reel in his prey or as described in the BBC tv series “Hustle” the MARK (you – the punter) from the surrounding bars and restaurants.

Then there is the new boy B, he is learning his trade within the motley crew, but is probably the dangerous member of the crew because - he has part of a brain cell.

Now, for the Samokov Sting.

Whether you were lured from the ski slopes of Borovets or at one of the bars and restaurants in Samokov town, you will then be invited to visit their restaurant headquarters. Here, over a period of time, and depending on the length of your trip, you will be introduced to numerous “friends” they may be able to muster up, to convince you that they are genuine and have your best interests at heart - “NOT”!

If your requirements are not what they have at their disposal i.e. property or land, then you may be introduced to a property agent with an office in Samokov town who we will call S.

So, once you have been - well - lets use the term “suckered in”, your troubles will begin.

Contracts will be drawn up and signed by you “THE MARK” and as will be expected, you pay a deposit and hope your contract will be carried out, as per the terms, and to be handed the keys to your beautiful dream home in Bulgaria at the end of the expected contract period. IF YOU ARE LUCKY!!

So, in conclusion, always be prepared to expect the unexpected!!! Don’t assume that when investing in property in Bulgaria, it will be a Bulgarian that will cheat you. Three out of four of the abovementioned people are BRITISH and they are just sitting here in Bulgaria, waiting for you to come and give them your hard earned MONEY! My advice – think twice and always, always, always, get more than one quote for any remedial or building works you may require. When you come to Bulgaria, don’t leave your brain in Britain!