Bear-ly Believable: Los Angeles Trio Sentenced for Insurance Fraud Scheme
Three individuals from Los Angeles County have been sentenced to weekends in jail for engaging in insurance fraud by dressing up as a bear and causing damage to luxury cars. Alfiya Zuckerman, Ruben Tamrazian, and Vahe Muradkhanyan pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud and will serve 180 days in jail through a weekend program. They have also been placed on two years of supervised probation. The trio must pay restitution, with Zuckerman and Tamazarian owing nearly $108,000, while the amount for Muradkhanyan is yet to be determined. A fourth suspect, Ararat Chirkinian, is scheduled for a court date in September 2026.
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara emphasized the seriousness of insurance fraud and the impact it has on consumers. The suspects submitted fraudulent insurance claims in 2024, totaling $141,839, by providing video footage of a bear purportedly damaging luxury cars. However, investigations revealed that the bear in the videos was actually a person in a bear suit. The case, known as "Operation Bear Claw," was reported to state insurance regulators, leading to a thorough investigation.
Upon further examination by a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, it was confirmed that the bear in the videos was indeed a human in a bear costume. Subsequently, detectives obtained a warrant to search the suspects' residence, where they discovered the bear costume used in the fraudulent scheme. Insurance fraud is a serious offense that impacts the cost of insurance for all consumers, and the authorities are committed to investigating and holding accountable those involved in such schemes.