Four charged with insurance fraud after staging bear attack in California

Four L.A residents face fraud charges after faking bear attacks on luxury cars with a bear costume and utensils.

Four Los Angeles residents have been arrested and charged with insurance fraud for allegedly faking bear attacks on their luxury vehicles, including a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost and multiple Mercedes cars.

According to the California Department of Insurance, the suspects submitted videos to insurers showing what they claimed was a bear causing extensive damage to the cars. However, investigators quickly suspected fraud, and further analysis revealed that the “bear” was actually a person in a bear costume.

To strengthen their case, detectives enlisted a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who confirmed the “bear” in the footage was unmistakably human. The investigation revealed that suspects used kitchen utensils, identified as Kitchen Mama meat shredder claws, to simulate the damage. After obtaining a search warrant, authorities found the costume in one suspect’s home, which included a white jacket for added effect.

The staged bear attacks resulted in insurance claims totaling $141,839. If convicted, each suspect could face up to five years in prison and fines of $50,000. The California Department of Insurance continues to monitor and investigate viral fraud cases, with previous charges filed against YouTubers for similar schemes.