Four Los Angeles residents have faced serious legal charges after authorities found they staged bear attacks on their luxury vehicles to cash in on hefty insurance payouts. An investigation conducted by the California Department of Insurance revealed that the supposed bear behind the damage was a person in a bear costume.
Operation Bear Claw Uncovers Truth
The suspects, identified as Ruben Tamrazian, 26; Ararat Chirkinian, 39; Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32; and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, allegedly crafted an elaborate plan to deceive insurance companies. According to officials, the four were charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy, which would have cost three companies a total of $141,839. The case, dubbed “Operation Bear Claw,” began when an insurance company flagged one of their claims earlier this year.
In January 2024, the group reported that a bear had caused significant interior damage to a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost that was parked in Lake Arrowhead, a region known for its black bear sightings. The claim was supported by video footage showing a furry creature entering through the vehicle’s side door, crawling around the backseat, and leaving claw marks on the leather interior. This convincing footage led the insurance company to file the claim.
Suspicious Footage Caught on Camera
What initially seemed like a clear case of wildlife mischief quickly turned into a ploy. According to the Department of Insurance, investigators reviewed the video more closely and noticed peculiarities that raised eyebrows about the authenticity of the bear attack. It wasn’t long before officials concluded that the “bear” in the video was a human wearing a realistic costume. To confirm their suspicions, detectives sought expert input.
A report released by the department stated, “The Department had a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife review the three alleged bear videos, and they also opined it was clearly a human in a bear suit.”
More Fake Bear Claims Emerge
The investigation took an unexpected turn, revealing two additional claims made by the same suspects. Both claims were from the same date and location as the first incident but involved different high-end vehicles, a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350. Just like the Rolls Royce incident, the suspects submitted video footage depicting another alleged bear encounter. All three videos followed a strikingly similar pattern, raising suspicion.
Determined to expose the truth, authorities secured a search warrant for the suspects’ residence. There, they found a full-sized bear costume as the crucial piece of evidence. The costume has a snouted head, paws, and custom metal tools designed to mimic claw marks. The light brown fur of the costume did not match the shades typical of California’s native black bear population, a fact that helped in identifying the fraudulent nature of the staged incidents.
Collaborative Investigation Leading to Arrests
The California Department of Insurance, the Glendale Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol worked together to uncover the scheme with help from wildlife experts. The case has since been referred to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. Currently, the evidence is under review to determine formal charges. According to officials, a decision on filing charges will be made soon.
The incident has raised discussions on the extent to which a person can manipulate and exploit insurance companies for financial gain. While fraudulent claims are nothing new, the creativity displayed in this case, mimicking wildlife damage, has shocked seasoned investigators.
What’s Next?
As the case moves forward, the California Department of Insurance will continue to hold those who commit fraud accountable. Insurance fraud not only costs companies millions each year but also leads to higher premiums for consumers across the state.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is expected to make a decision on charging the four suspects soon. The case will then proceed to the court, where prosecutors will likely present the bear costume as the prime evidence in the insurance fraud attempt.
