Trending Now - Three Sentenced in California Luxury Car Insurance Fraud Scheme

WHO:

AP News - Three individuals involved in the scam include two men from the Los Angeles area and one woman.

AP News - A fourth person is also involved and faces a court hearing in September 2026.

WHAT:

AP News - The three individuals were sentenced for insurance fraud related to a scheme involving a person dressed in a bear costume.

AP News - The group staged fake attacks inside a Rolls-Royce and two Mercedes, submitting fraudulent claims for nearly $142,000.

AP News - The three pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud and were sentenced to a weekend jail program followed by probation.

AP News - Two of the individuals were ordered to pay over $50,000 in restitution.

WHERE:

AP News - The incidents occurred in California, specifically involving luxury cars in the Los Angeles area and the San Bernardino Mountains.

WHEN:

AP News - The fraudulent activities took place in 2024.

AP News - The sentencing occurred on Thursday, April 14th, 2026.

AP News - The court hearing for the fourth person is scheduled for September 2026.

WHY:

AP News - The individuals staged the scam to obtain fraudulent insurance payouts.

HOW:

AP News - The group provided videos to insurance companies showing a bear moving inside the vehicles as part of their damage claims.

AP News - A California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist reviewed the footage and concluded it was “clearly a human in a bear suit.”

AP News - Detectives found the bear costume in the suspects’ home after executing a search warrant.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 19:18 UTC)

Three individuals from the Los Angeles area have been sentenced for their involvement in an insurance fraud scheme that included a person dressed in a bear costume, with two of them ordered to pay over $50,000 in restitution. The group staged fake attacks inside luxury cars, submitting fraudulent claims totaling nearly $142,000, and they pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud, resulting in a weekend jail program followed by probation. A fourth person involved in the scam is set to face a court hearing in September 20th26, while detectives discovered the bear costume used in the scheme at the suspects' home.