SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Two brokers have been charged with plotting to undermine Bulgaria’s top banks by spreading rumors of their instability, triggering runs on deposits and forcing the government to step in with rescue aid.

Police arrested five people on Sunday for allegedly sending hundreds of text messages and e-mails last week “to spread false information that caused detriment to commercial banks and destabilized the banking system.” Two of them — investment brokers from financial services firm Global Markets — were charged on Monday and could face two years of prison.