Four people ‘dressed as a bear then attacked their own cars in insurance scam’

Four people have been charged with insurance fraud after they dressed up as a bear, damaged their own vehicles and made claims.

Four Los Angeles residents – Ruben Tamrazian, 26, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, and Alfiya Zuck – told their insurance that a bear entered their 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost on January 28, 2024, and even recorded a video of the incident.

The footage, included in the claim, shows the furry creature entering through the swanky vehicle’s door before rummaging around in both the front and back seats.

Pictures submitted as part of the claim showed scratches to the vehicle’s seats and doors.

But, after taking a second look, the insurance company suspected that the furry creature was not a bear, but a man in a bear suit.

The California Department of Insurance began investigating the alleged bear attacks after reports of suspected fraud.

To confirm that it, in fact, was not a bear, a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed the footage and concluded it was ‘clearly a human in a bear suit.’

Investigators carried out a search at the suspects’ home, leading to the discovery of a bear costume and handheld claws that were allegedly used to carry out the framed attack.

Two more fraudulent claims, involving a Mercedes G63 AMG and a Mercedes E350, were also uncovered, claimed officials.

All three incidents featured the exact same damage.

The four suspects were arrested and charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy yesterday.

They are are accused of defrauding their insurance company out of more than $141,000.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

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