Insurance Fraud Ring in the US
Disguised as Bear, They Damaged Their Own Vehicle
Insurance Department "First Case Using Fake Bear"
An American fraud ring disguised as wild bears to claim insurance money was caught by the police. California Department of Insurance
Four fraudsters disguised as wild bears to claim insurance money were caught in the United States.
According to the California Department of Insurance on the 14th (local time), a report was filed on January 28th claiming that a car was damaged by an attack from a wild bear. The vehicle was a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, reportedly parked at Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains near Los Angeles.
The claimant submitted video evidence showing a figure resembling a bear entering the vehicle. The footage showed a bear-like figure opening the passenger door and rummaging through the interior. The "bear" then moved to the back seat and repeated the same behavior. Based on this, the insurance company concluded that the vehicle was damaged by a bear and paid out the insurance claim.
However, it was soon revealed that this was an insurance fraud scheme. The California Department of Insurance explained in a press release, "Upon close examination of the video, it was found that the figure was not an actual wild bear but a person wearing a bear costume." According to the statement, a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed the footage and confirmed, "It is definitely a person in a bear suit."
Police investigating the home of a fraud ring targeting insurance money discovered a bear costume used in the case. California Department of Insurance
While searching the suspects' homes with a warrant, police discovered the bear costume used during the incident. The costume included brown fur to resemble a bear, a bear-shaped headpiece, and metal pieces replicating claw marks. The police handed the fraudsters over to the prosecution, and the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office took charge of the case and indicted them. Three of the suspects were detained, while the remaining one was released on $50,000 bail (approximately 70 million KRW). The fraudsters were also found to have previously damaged the interiors of two vehicles?a 2015 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG and a 2022 E350?using similar methods to claim insurance money. The total insurance payout they received amounted to $141,839 (approximately 199.42 million KRW).
A spokesperson for the Department of Insurance expressed disbelief, saying, "Investigators have uncovered many absurd schemes over the years, but this is the first case of a fake bear being used in insurance fraud." Local netizens also reacted with comments such as "No words," "It's funny they thought this would work," and "I hope they realize their wrongdoing and reflect on it."
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