California Residents Arrested for Bear Costume Insurance Fraud Scheme
TL;DR
Four individuals in Los Angeles were arrested for insurance fraud after allegedly using a bear costume to fake vehicle damage and claim insurance payouts. The suspects, who filed claims stating a bear had damaged their cars, were caught when investigators from the California Department of Insurance suspected the footage showed a person in a costume. The scheme, dubbed Operation Bear Claw, led to the recovery of a bear costume and the revelation that $141,839 had already been paid out by insurance companies. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office is handling the prosecution.
- Bear costume used in elaborate car insurance fraud scheme ABC News
- Bear that attacked luxury car was actually man in costume, insurance investigators say KTLA Los Angeles
- Schemer dons bear costume to stage attacks on luxury cars to fool insurance companies into $141K payouts New York Post
- Four California residents arrested after faking a bear attack for insurance payout KCRA Sacramento
- 4 L.A. area residents accused of using bear suit to damage cars, defraud insurance companies, officials say ABC7 Los Angeles
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