In California, con artists videotaped a man in a bear suit attacking a Rolls-Royce to get an insurance payout

Four people in Southern California have been charged with insurance fraud after they claimed their cars were damaged by a bear. But here's the nuance: the "bear" turned out to be a man in a bear costume, according to the California Department of Insurance.

Here's What We Know

The first "attack" happened on 8 January, when a bear allegedly damaged a Rolls-Royce Ghost parked near Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains. Insurance companies were even handed surveillance video that would have confirmed the attack. But as it turned out during the investigation, the footage showed an actor in a costume instead of a wild animal. And this was just the beginning: similar "attacks" also occurred with Mercedes G63 AMG and Mercedes E350.

The cost of the scam was estimated at $142,000. During searches, the suspects were found in possession of a bear costume with brown fur, the animal's head, paws and even special metal tools to simulate claw marks.

The case is now with the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, where they are deciding what charges to bring against the detainees.

Source: NBC News