California insurance fraud: 4 arrested in fake bear attack scheme

News desk: Four Los Angeles-area residents have been arrested in connection with an alleged insurance fraud scheme involving staged “bear attacks” on luxury vehicles, according to the California Department of Insurance.

The case, dubbed “Operation Bear Claw,” centers on claims that the suspects used a person in a bear costume along with claw-like kitchen tools to simulate animal damage and fraudulently obtain insurance payouts totaling $141,839.

Those charged include Ruben Tamrazian, 26; Ararat Chirkinian, 39; and Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, all of Glendale, along with Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, of Valley Village. Each faces charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy. The case is being prosecuted by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

According to investigators, the group filed a claim on January 28, 2024, alleging that a bear had broken into a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost while it was parked in Lake Arrowhead, a mountain resort area known for wildlife activity. The claim included video footage purportedly showing the animal inside the vehicle, causing extensive interior damage.

Additional claims were reportedly submitted for a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350, all allegedly damaged under similar circumstances at the same location and date. The claims were filed with multiple insurers, including Bristol West, Progressive and State Farm.

The California Department of Insurance said investigators became suspicious of the claims and consulted a wildlife biologist. The expert reportedly determined that the animal in the footage did not exhibit typical bear behavior and left no biological evidence such as saliva, fur, or urine.

Authorities allege that the “bear” was in fact a person wearing an ill-fitting costume. Investigators also concluded that damage inside the vehicles was inflicted using claw-like meat-shredding kitchen tools.

A subsequent search reportedly uncovered the bear costume and tools believed to have been used in the scheme.

The suspects were arrested on November 13, 2024. Three of the individuals were held in custody with bail set between $30,000 and $85,000, while Zuckerman was released on bond.

All defendants later appeared in court, where they waived their right to a speedy trial. The case remains ongoing.

Insurance fraud remains a significant issue for the industry, costing billions of dollars annually and contributing to higher premiums for policyholders. Authorities noted that the suspects allegedly attempted to exploit the frequency of legitimate wildlife-related claims in the Lake Arrowhead area.