California Insurance Scam Involving Bear Costume Results in Sentences

In a bizarre twist on insurance fraud, three California residents have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme that involved a person dressed in a bear costume damaging luxury vehicles. The California Insurance Department announced the convictions on April 16, 2026, following a thorough investigation dubbed "Operation Bear Claw." The scheme, which sought nearly $142,000 in fraudulent insurance payouts, centered around staged attacks on a Rolls-Royce and two Mercedes vehicles.

Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, Ruben Tamrazian, 26, and Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, were found guilty of felony insurance fraud after they submitted fake claims to insurance companies, claiming that a bear had caused extensive damage to their cars. The investigation began after a suspicious claim was flagged in January 2024, linked to an incident in Lake Arrowhead.

According to the California Department of Insurance, the suspects claimed that a bear had entered their 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost and caused interior damage. To bolster their claims, they submitted video footage showing a bear moving inside the vehicle. Upon closer inspection, detectives determined that the "bear" in the footage was actually a human wearing a bear costume, as confirmed by a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

In addition to the Rolls-Royce, the investigation revealed two more fraudulent claims involving a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350, all occurring on the same day in the same location. The total loss to the insurance companies was reported to be approximately $141,839.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the suspects' homes, where they recovered the bear costume used in the scam. The California Department of Insurance emphasized the seriousness of such fraudulent activities, noting that insurance fraud drives up costs for consumers and that no scheme is too outrageous to investigate.

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "What may have looked unbelievable turned out to be exactly that — and now those responsible are being held accountable. My department’s investigators uncovered the facts, exposed this scam, and helped bring these defendants to justice."

All three individuals pleaded no contest to the charges and were sentenced to 180 days in jail, which will be served through a weekend jail program. In addition to their jail time, they were placed on two years of supervised probation. Zuckerman was ordered to pay $55,360 in restitution, and Tamrazian was ordered to pay $52,268. The restitution amount for Muradkhanyan is still pending.

A fourth individual, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, is also alleged to have been involved in the scheme and is awaiting trial, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 2026.

The use of bear costumes in this fraudulent scheme highlights a growing trend of bear incursions into populated areas in California. Reports have documented instances of bears breaking into homes and vehicles in search of food, particularly in regions like Lake Tahoe and the foothill suburbs of Los Angeles. This has raised concerns among residents and wildlife officials alike, as bears have been known to raid refrigerators and even take dips in backyard pools.

As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that the defendants were attempting to deceive insurance companies and capitalizing on the public's awareness of bear-related incidents in California. The unique nature of their scam, involving a bear costume, added an unusual twist that initially made it difficult to believe.

In light of this case, the California Department of Insurance has reiterated its commitment to combating insurance fraud of all types. The agency continues to encourage the public to report any suspicious claims or activities to help protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the insurance system.

The outcome of this case serves as a reminder that insurance fraud is a serious crime with real consequences. As the legal proceedings for Chirkinian approach, it whether he will face similar penalties as his co-defendants. Meanwhile, the investigation into this unusual scheme has shed light on the lengths to which some individuals will go to exploit the system, leaving a lasting impression on California's fight against insurance fraud.

As this case concludes, it raises questions about the effectiveness of current fraud detection measures and highlights the need for continued vigilance in the insurance industry. The California Department of Insurance remains steadfast in its mission to protect consumers and uphold the law, ensuring that those who attempt to defraud the system will face justice.