Overview

Three residents from the Los Angeles area have been convicted for their involvement in a bizarre insurance fraud scheme that involved staging attacks on luxury vehicles using a person dressed in a bear costume. The scheme was uncovered as part of the California Department of Insurance's Operation Bear Claw.

Alfiya Zuckerman, Ruben Tamrazian, and Vahe Muradkhanyan pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud. Each has been sentenced to 180 days in jail, two years of supervised probation, and ordered to pay restitution.

Key details

  • Convicted individuals include Alfiya Zuckerman (39, Valley Village), Ruben Tamrazian (26, Glendale), and Vahe Muradkhanyan (32, Glendale).
  • The suspects staged incidents where a bear costume was used to simulate attacks on luxury cars.
  • The investigation was initiated after an insurance company flagged a suspicious claim from January 28, 2024.
  • The fraudulent claims involved a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG, and a 2022 Mercedes E350.
  • Video evidence submitted by the suspects purportedly showed a bear damaging their Rolls-Royce.
  • Detectives later identified the bear as a person in costume.
  • Each convicted individual received a sentence of 180 days in jail and two years of supervised probation.
  • They were also ordered to pay restitution as part of their sentencing.
  • A fourth suspect, Ararat Chirkinian (39, Glendale), is awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for September.
  • The fraudulent scheme was part of a larger operation by the California Department of Insurance.
  • The incidents took place in Lake Arrowhead.
  • The investigation revealed multiple claims submitted to different insurance companies on the same date.

Context

This case highlights the lengths to which some individuals may go to commit insurance fraud, using elaborate schemes to deceive insurance companies for financial gain.

What happens next

Ararat Chirkinian is set to return to court in September for a preliminary hearing regarding his involvement in the scheme.

What we don't know yet

Details about the specific restitution amounts ordered and the potential outcomes for the fourth suspect remain unconfirmed.