Fake bears attack their car to deceive their insurance!

Four Americans used a bear costume to defraud more than 130,000 euros in fictitious damages during three stages.

In the United States, four individuals attempted scam totally unusual. They disguised themselves as ours to simulate attacks on their vehicles and defraud their insurance.

An inventive fraud but quickly unmasked

Next to Los Angelesthese four individuals were arrested for insurance fraud and criminal association. Their incredible stratagem was based on a bear costume to make it appear that their cars, including a Rolls-Royce Ghost, had been attacked by a wild bear in order to claim compensation. In January 2024, the suspects said a bear broke into their 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost causing significant damage inside the vehicle. The animal is said to have torn the seats and damaged the doors.

In order to bring evidencethey presented a video to their insurance company. However, a thorough investigation revealed a rather funny truth: it was not actually a bear, but a disguised human.

Furthermore, the suspects didn’t stop at just one try. They submitted two other complaints very similar with other insurance companies. The vehicles affected are a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a Mercedes E350 of 2022. They also claimed that the bear attacked these two vehicles. Ultimately, their scheme collapsed when a biologist stepped in to analyze the videos upon request from the California Department of Insurance.

Three attempts with a single bear costume

This specialist confirmed that it was not a real bear. He was clear: it is indeed a human in a costume. To top it all off, the investigation made it possible to find the famous bear costume during a search at a suspect. In total, the suspects in this case attempted to defraud approximately 135 000 euros fictitious damage.

This fraud can clearly make you smile because of its absurdity, but it still illustrates the completely crazy attempts of certain individuals to circumvent insurance systems. Now, the four suspects will have to answer for their actions in court. In any case, their bear costume ploy will no doubt remain as a lesson inunsubtle scam.

In California, it is not uncommon to observe grizzlis in unexpected places. However, they may have overemphasized their scheme and this likely aroused suspicion among various insurance companies. Please note that in France, insurance fraud is punishable by fine can go up to 375 000 euros accompanied by a penalty of prison up to 5 years.