bear

Four people have been arrested after allegedly filing fake insurance claims stating that a bear had damaged the interiors of three luxury cars.

The footage drew suspicion from investigators with the California Department of Insurance, who after executing a search warrant, found a bear costume in the suspects’ home.

"Upon further scrutiny of the video, the investigation determined the bear was actually a person in a bear costume," the department said in a press release.

Those arrested in what investigators dubbed "Operation Bear Claw" are: Ruben Tamrazian, 26; Ararat Chirkinian, 39; Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32; and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39.

The initial claim was in January, when the suspects allegedly said that a bear entered a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost - retailing for around $100,000 - and damaged its interior.