Fri Nov 15 10:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Bear-y Bad News: Insurance Fraudsters Busted for Costumed Car Damage
**Los Angeles, CA** – In a twist worthy of a Hollywood thriller, four Los Angeles County residents have been arrested for an elaborate insurance fraud scheme involving a “bear” and a hefty payout.
The scam came to light after insurance companies received video footage of a bear allegedly ransacking luxury vehicles, including a Rolls-Royce. The companies, suspicious of the footage, ultimately paid out over $140,000 in claims before the California Department of Insurance (CDI) launched an investigation dubbed “Operation Bear Claw”.
The CDI’s investigation revealed the “bear” was actually a person in a costume, and the claw marks on the upholstery were made with a kitchen tool. The perpetrators, identified as Ruben Tamrazian (26), Ararat Chirkinian (39), Vahe Muradkhanyan (32), and Alfiya Zuckerman (39), are facing charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy.
This case serves as a reminder that insurance fraud, no matter how creative, can have serious consequences. The CDI encourages anyone with information about potential fraud to contact their office.
First Piper 