California has recently uncovered a bizarre case of insurance fraud involving bears and luxury cars. The California Insurance Department revealed that four individuals from Los Angeles were apprehended for allegedly deceiving three insurance companies out of nearly $142,000 by claiming that bears had caused damage to their high-end vehicles.
Termed as “Operation Bear Claw,” the scheme involved submitting video footage purportedly showing bears entering a Rolls-Royce and two Mercedes vehicles in the San Bernardino Mountains back in January. The footage depicted what seemed to be scratches on the car seats and doors, leading the insurance companies to suspect foul play.
Upon closer inspection, it was suspected that the bear sightings were not genuine, but rather someone disguised in a bear costume. Detectives uncovered two additional claims with different insurers, all filed on the same date and location, featuring similar videos of the alleged bear intrusions inside the Mercedes cars.
To verify the authenticity of the videos, a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife was consulted. The biologist confirmed that the footage clearly showed a human disguised in a bear suit, debunking the initial claims of bear-related damages.
Following the issuance of a search warrant, authorities discovered the bear costume at the suspects’ residence, further solidifying the evidence against them. The individuals arrested have not yet disclosed whether they have legal representation.
While bears breaking into cars or homes in search of food is a known issue in California, this case stands out for its elaborate attempt to defraud insurance companies. From Lake Tahoe to the suburbs of Los Angeles, bears have been causing trouble by raiding refrigerators, rummaging through trash cans, and even taking leisurely dips in backyard pools and hot tubs.
