4 arrested in California car insurance scam: ‘Clearly a human in a bear suit’
Officials arrested four people in California this week after state investigators said they committed insurance fraud by claiming a animal damaged their vehicles, when in reality it was someone wearing a bear costume.
Los Angeles-area residents Ruben Tamrazian, 26, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, are each charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy in connection to the reported scam, the state Department of Insurance announced.
The state agency’s investigation began after an insurance company suspected fraud earlier this year, according to a news release.
Bear costume used in reported January 2024 car insurance scam.
The suspects told their insurance company a bear entered their 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost and caused interior damage to the vehicle on Jan. 28 in Lake Arrowhead, an unincorporated community in the San Bernardino Mountains, the release said.
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‘The alleged bear’ in the vehicle
The suspects also provided video footage to the insurance company, which showed
4 arrested in California car insurance scam: ‘Clearly a human in a bear suit’
