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Three sentenced for staging bear attacks to scam insurers
California authorities have convicted three individuals who used a person in a bear costume to fake animal attacks on luxury vehicles, securing over $140,000 in fraudulent insurance payouts.
The scheme
On January 28, 2024, claims were filed for damage to a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost and two high-end Mercedes models in Lake Arrowhead. Video evidence submitted to insurers appeared to show a bear inside one of the cars.
Investigation uncovers fraud
Biologists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife examined the footage and concluded it depicted a human wearing a bear suit, not a real animal. The state insurance department launched Operation Bear Claw, executing a search warrant that led to the discovery of the costume in the suspects' residence.
Financial and legal consequences
The fraudulent claims totaled $141,839 (approximately £105,000). Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, Ruben Tamrazian, 26, and Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, entered no-contest pleas to felony insurance fraud charges.
Sentencing and official response
On Thursday, the trio received sentences of 180 days in jail and two years of supervised probation. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara commented on the case, stating,
"What may have looked unbelievable turned out to be exactly that-and now those responsible are being held accountable."
Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner
