Authorities have cracked a bizarre insurance fraud scheme in California where a man dressed as a bear allegedly damaged luxury cars to collect payouts. Four Los Angeles-area residents have been arrested and charged in connection with the elaborate plot.
The California Department of Insurance (CDOI) launched an investigation after an insurance company flagged a suspicious claim in January. The claim involved substantial damage to a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost in Lake Arrowhead. According to the insurance claim, the damage was caused by a bear entering the vehicle. The vehicle owners even provided video footage of the incident.
Upon closer examination, investigators determined the damage was not caused by an actual bear. The CDOI released a video showing a person in a bear costume entering a vehicle and causing damage. Further investigation, including a review of the video footage by a California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist, confirmed that the culprit was a human in a bear suit. The biologist concluded that it was “clearly a human in a bear suit.”
A search warrant executed at the home of one of the suspects yielded the bear costume and handheld claws that were believed to have been used in the scheme. Officials from the CDOI indicated that the costume was a key piece of evidence in revealing the fraud. In addition to the Rolls Royce claim, the investigation uncovered two other fraudulent claims at the same location and time, involving a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350.
The individuals arrested in connection with the fraud are Ruben Tamrazian, 26; Ararat Chirkinian, 39; Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, all from Glendale; and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, of Valley Village. They are accused of defrauding their insurance companies of more than $141,000 collectively.
The suspects are facing charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is currently evaluating the case to determine if additional criminal charges will be filed.
