LOS ANGELES — The phenomenon of bears invading cars in California has raised eyebrows, particularly when luxury vehicles are involved. Recently, an investigation led to the arrest of four individuals in Los Angeles who are accused of orchestrating an elaborate scheme to defraud insurance companies by claiming bear-related damage, which has now been branded as “Operation Bear Claw.”

According to the California Insurance Department, these individuals allegedly swindled nearly $142,000 from three different insurance companies by presenting them with false claims of bear damage to their automobiles. The claims included video evidence submitted from the San Bernardino Mountains that depicted a “bear” inside a luxury Rolls-Royce and two Mercedes vehicles. The insurance department reported that the footage, along with images showing what appeared to be scratch marks on the car’s interiors, played a key role in their investigation.

However, upon closer inspection of the video taken from the Rolls-Royce, the insurance company became suspicious, suspecting that the creature in the footage was not a bear at all, but rather a person dressed in a bear costume. Further digging by detectives revealed two additional claims made by the same group, registered with different insurers but sharing a similar date of loss and location. Similar video clips featuring the so-called “bear” inside the Mercedes vehicles raised more questions than answers.

As part of the investigation, a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife evaluated the videos and concluded that it was, without a doubt, a human donning a bear suit. Following this revelation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the suspects’ residence, where they discovered the bear costume used in the alleged ruse.

At this time, it’s unclear whether those arrested have secured legal representation. Meanwhile, the issue of bears foraging through homes and trash bins in California has become increasingly prevalent, extending from the tall peaks of Lake Tahoe to the suburban areas of Los Angeles. In some instances, these bears have even made headlines for breaking into refrigerators and enjoying leisurely baths in backyard swimming pools and hot tubs.