This week, four individuals from the Los Angeles area were apprehended following an investigation by the California Department of Insurance. The suspects allegedly orchestrated a scheme using a life-sized bear costume to simulate attacks on their vehicles, aiming to secure a substantial insurance payout. The individuals involved in this fraudulent activity are Ruben Tamrazian, 26; Ararat Chirkinian, 39; Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32; and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39. They now face charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy, with their actions reportedly costing three insurance companies a total of $141,839.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Bear Claw,” commenced earlier this year when one of the insurance claims raised suspicions. In January, the suspects claimed that a bear had entered their 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost while parked in Lake Arrowhead, a region notorious for its black bear population. They presented video evidence to support their claim, which depicted a furry figure entering the vehicle, causing damage to the interior. However, upon closer examination, investigators determined that the “bear” was actually a person dressed in a bear costume.
Further scrutiny revealed two additional claims from the same suspects, involving different vehicles—a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350. The pattern of these claims mirrored the initial incident, leading authorities to question the validity of the evidence provided. To confirm their suspicions, investigators enlisted the help of a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who concluded that the videos clearly depicted a human in a bear suit rather than an actual bear.
In their pursuit of the truth, detectives executed a search warrant at the suspects’ residence, where they discovered the bear costume, complete with a furry head, paws, and metal tools resembling claws. The costume’s light brown fur raised further questions, as California’s only wild bear species is the black bear, which can appear in various shades but is not typically brown or tan. This discrepancy added to the evidence against the suspects, reinforcing the notion that their claims were fabricated.
The investigation has involved collaboration with the Glendale Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, and the case has now been referred to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. As of Thursday, the district attorney’s office indicated that the case is under review to determine whether charges will be formally filed. Once a decision is reached, court dates and appearances will be scheduled, marking the next steps in this unusual case of insurance fraud.
Original news source: They told insurers a bear damaged their car. But it was actually a person in a costume (NPR)
🎧 Listen:
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📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | apprehended | Taken into custody by law enforcement |
| 2 | orchestrated | Carefully arranged or coordinated a plan or event |
| 3 | simulate | Imitate or replicate the appearance or character of something |
| 4 | fraudulent | Involving deceit or trickery for personal gain |
| 5 | scrutiny | Close and critical examination or observation |
| 6 | enlisted | Secured the help or support of someone |
| 7 | biologist | A scientist who studies living organisms, particularly animals and plants |
| 8 | depicted | Represented or portrayed in a visual or artistic form |
| 9 | executed | Carried out or put into effect a plan or action |
| 10 | discrepancy | A difference or inconsistency between two or more things |
| 11 | fabricated | Made up or invented, often with the intent to deceive |
| 12 | collaboration | Working together with others towards a common goal |
| 13 | prosecution | The process of conducting legal proceedings against someone |
| 14 | referred | Directed or sent to a particular person or place for a specific purpose |
| 15 | formally | Officially or properly, according to established rules or procedures |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– NEWS SUMMARY
Instructions: Divide the students into small groups and have them summarize the article in their own words. Each group should present their summary to the class within 3 minutes, focusing on the key points and main ideas. Encourage them to use advanced vocabulary and varied sentence structures.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Create a series of statements related to insurance fraud and ethical behavior. Students will circulate around the room, asking their classmates for their opinions on each statement (e.g., “Do you think that insurance fraud is a serious crime?”). After collecting responses, have a class discussion on the results and their implications.
– MIND MAP
Instructions: On a whiteboard or large paper, create a mind map that centers around the theme of “Insurance Fraud.” Students will contribute ideas, examples, and related concepts based on the article and their prior knowledge. This will help them visualize the connections between different aspects of the topic.
– SYNONYM CHALLENGE
Instructions: Provide students with a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g., apprehended, orchestrated, fraudulent). In pairs, they will come up with synonyms for each word and then share their synonyms with the class. This will enhance their vocabulary and understanding of nuanced language.
– FUTURE PREDICTIONS
Instructions: Have students work individually or in pairs to predict the possible outcomes of the investigation mentioned in the article. They should consider legal consequences, potential media coverage, and public reactions. After writing their predictions, students will share them with the class, encouraging discussion on the varying perspectives.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What was the main scheme orchestrated by the suspects in the article?
2. Who are the four individuals involved in the insurance fraud case, and what are their ages?
3. How did the investigation into the suspects’ claims begin?
4. What evidence did the suspects initially present to support their claim of a bear attack?
5. What role did the biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife play in the investigation?
6. What discrepancies were found regarding the bear costume and the claims made by the suspects?
7. Which law enforcement agencies collaborated in the investigation of this case?
8. What are the next steps mentioned in the article regarding the prosecution of the suspects?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
This week, four (1)______ from the Los Angeles area were apprehended following an investigation by the California Department of Insurance. The suspects allegedly orchestrated a scheme (2)______ a life-sized bear costume to simulate attacks on their vehicles, (3)______ to secure a substantial insurance payout. The individuals involved in this fraudulent activity are Ruben Tamrazian, 26; Ararat Chirkinian, 39; Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32; and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39. They now face charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy, with their actions reportedly costing three insurance companies a (4)______ of $141,839.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Bear Claw,” commenced earlier this year when one of the insurance claims raised suspicions. In (5)______, the suspects (6)______ that a bear had entered their 2010 Rolls Royce (7)______ while parked in Lake Arrowhead, a region notorious for its (8)______ bear population. They presented video evidence to support their claim, which depicted a furry figure entering the vehicle, causing damage to the interior. However, upon closer examination, investigators determined that the “bear” was actually a person dressed in a bear costume.
Further scrutiny revealed two additional claims from the same suspects, involving different vehicles—a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350. The pattern of these claims mirrored the initial incident, leading authorities to question the validity of the evidence provided. To (9)______ their (10)______, investigators enlisted the help of a biologist from the (11)______ Department of Fish and Wildlife, who concluded that the videos clearly depicted a human in a bear suit rather than an actual bear.
In their pursuit of the truth, detectives executed a search warrant at the suspects’ residence, where they (12)______ the bear costume, complete with a furry head, paws, and metal tools resembling claws. The costume’s light brown fur raised further questions, as California’s only wild bear species is the black bear, which can appear in various shades but is not typically (13)______ or tan. This discrepancy added to the evidence against the suspects, reinforcing the notion that their claims were fabricated.
The investigation has involved collaboration with the Glendale Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, and the case has now been referred to the San (14)______ County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. As of Thursday, the district attorney’s office (15)______ that the case is under review to determine whether (16)______ will be formally filed. Once a decision is reached, court dates and appearances will be scheduled, marking the next steps in this unusual case of insurance fraud.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on the lengths people will go to in order to commit fraud?
2. How would you feel if you were one of the insurance companies involved in this case?
3. Do you think that insurance fraud is a serious crime? Why or why not?
4. What is a creative way you have seen people try to solve a problem, similar to the suspects in this article?
5. How would you react if you discovered a friend was involved in a fraudulent scheme like this?
6. Do you believe that people often underestimate the risks of committing fraud? Why?
7. What is a lesson that can be learned from this case about honesty and integrity?
8. How would you feel if you were a juror in the trial of these suspects?
9. Do you think that the penalties for insurance fraud should be stricter? Why or why not?
10. What is a common misconception about bears that you think people should be aware of?
11. How would you respond if someone tried to convince you to participate in a fraudulent scheme?
12. Do you think the use of technology, such as video evidence, is effective in solving crimes? Why?
13. What is your opinion on how law enforcement handles cases of insurance fraud?
14. How would you feel if you were a detective working on a case like “Operation Bear Claw”?
15. Do you think that stories like this one affect public trust in insurance companies? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. apprehended
2. orchestrated
3. simulate
4. fraudulent
5. scrutiny
6. enlisted
7. biologist
8. depicted
9. executed
10. discrepancy
11. fabricated
12. collaboration
13. prosecution
14. referred
15. formally
Meanings:
(A) A scientist who studies living organisms, particularly animals and plants
(B) The process of conducting legal proceedings against someone
(C) Working together with others towards a common goal
(D) Close and critical examination or observation
(E) Officially or properly, according to established rules or procedures
(F) Directed or sent to a particular person or place for a specific purpose
(G) Made up or invented, often with the intent to deceive
(H) Imitate or replicate the appearance or character of something
(I) Secured the help or support of someone
(J) Carried out or put into effect a plan or action
(K) Represented or portrayed in a visual or artistic form
(L) Taken into custody by law enforcement
(M) A difference or inconsistency between two or more things
(N) Involving deceit or trickery for personal gain
(O) Carefully arranged or coordinated a plan or event
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What was the main purpose of the suspects’ scheme?
(a) To sell a bear costume
(b) To create a documentary
(c) To promote wildlife awareness
(d) To secure a substantial insurance payout
2. What was the name of the investigation into the fraudulent activities?
(a) Operation Bear Trap
(b) Operation Insurance Fraud
(c) Operation Bear Claw
(d) Operation Costume Crime
3. What vehicle did the suspects claim a bear had entered?
(a) 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG
(b) 2022 Mercedes E350
(c) 2018 BMW X5
(d) 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost
4. Who assisted investigators in confirming the identity of the “bear” in the video evidence?
(a) A biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
(b) A local wildlife expert
(c) A private investigator
(d) A forensic scientist
5. What was discovered at the suspects’ residence during the search warrant execution?
(a) A bear costume and metal tools resembling claws
(b) A real bear
(c) Fake insurance documents
(d) Video cameras used for filming
6. How much did the fraudulent activities reportedly cost the insurance companies?
(a) $50,000
(b) $200,000
(c) $141,839
(d) $75,000
7. Which law enforcement agencies collaborated in the investigation?
(a) Los Angeles Police Department and FBI
(b) Glendale Police Department and California Highway Patrol
(c) California Highway Patrol and FBI
(d) San Bernardino County Sheriff and California Fish and Wildlife
8. What is the next step for the case after being referred to the district attorney’s office?
(a) Immediate court trial
(b) Review to determine whether charges will be formally filed
(c) Public announcement of the findings
(d) Dismissal of the case
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Investigators confirmed that the “bear” in the video evidence was a person in a costume.
2. The fraudulent activities reportedly cost three insurance companies a total of $141,839.
3. The investigation is referred to as “Operation Bear Claw.”
4. The suspects used a life-sized bear costume to simulate attacks on their vehicles.
5. The suspects were cleared of any wrongdoing in the Los Angeles area.
6. The case has been dismissed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
7. The suspects were cleared of charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy.
8. The investigation was conducted by the California Department of Health.
Go to answers ⇩
📝 Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!
1. What methods did the suspects use to attempt to defraud the insurance companies?
2. How did the investigation into the insurance claims begin, and what raised suspicions?
3. What evidence did investigators find that contradicted the suspects’ claims about the bear attacks?
4. What role did the California Department of Fish and Wildlife play in the investigation?
5. What are the next steps in the legal process for the suspects following the investigation?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What was the main scheme orchestrated by the suspects in the article?
The suspects orchestrated a scheme using a life-sized bear costume to simulate attacks on their vehicles in order to secure a substantial insurance payout.
2. Who are the four individuals involved in the insurance fraud case, and what are their ages?
The individuals involved are Ruben Tamrazian, 26; Ararat Chirkinian, 39; Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32; and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39.
3. How did the investigation into the suspects’ claims begin?
The investigation began when one of the insurance claims raised suspicions earlier this year.
4. What evidence did the suspects initially present to support their claim of a bear attack?
The suspects presented video evidence that depicted a furry figure entering their vehicle, which they claimed was a bear causing damage to the interior.
5. What role did the biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife play in the investigation?
The biologist helped confirm investigators’ suspicions by concluding that the videos clearly depicted a human in a bear suit rather than an actual bear.
6. What discrepancies were found regarding the bear costume and the claims made by the suspects?
The bear costume was light brown, which raised questions since California’s only wild bear species is the black bear, typically not brown or tan. This discrepancy contributed to the evidence against the suspects.
7. Which law enforcement agencies collaborated in the investigation of this case?
The investigation involved collaboration with the Glendale Police Department and the California Highway Patrol.
8. What are the next steps mentioned in the article regarding the prosecution of the suspects?
The case has been referred to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, which is currently under review to determine whether charges will be formally filed and to schedule court dates and appearances.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) individuals
(2) using
(3) aiming
(4) total
(5) January
(6) claimed
(7) Ghost
(8) black
(9) confirm
(10) suspicions
(11) California
(12) discovered
(13) brown
(14) Bernardino
(15) indicated
(16) charges
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. apprehended
Answer: (L) Taken into custody by law enforcement
2. orchestrated
Answer: (O) Carefully arranged or coordinated a plan or event
3. simulate
Answer: (H) Imitate or replicate the appearance or character of something
4. fraudulent
Answer: (N) Involving deceit or trickery for personal gain
5. scrutiny
Answer: (D) Close and critical examination or observation
6. enlisted
Answer: (I) Secured the help or support of someone
7. biologist
Answer: (A) A scientist who studies living organisms, particularly animals and plants
8. depicted
Answer: (K) Represented or portrayed in a visual or artistic form
9. executed
Answer: (J) Carried out or put into effect a plan or action
10. discrepancy
Answer: (M) A difference or inconsistency between two or more things
11. fabricated
Answer: (G) Made up or invented, often with the intent to deceive
12. collaboration
Answer: (C) Working together with others towards a common goal
13. prosecution
Answer: (B) The process of conducting legal proceedings against someone
14. referred
Answer: (F) Directed or sent to a particular person or place for a specific purpose
15. formally
Answer: (E) Officially or properly, according to established rules or procedures
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What was the main purpose of the suspects’ scheme?
Answer: (d) To secure a substantial insurance payout
2. What was the name of the investigation into the fraudulent activities?
Answer: (c) Operation Bear Claw
3. What vehicle did the suspects claim a bear had entered?
Answer: (d) 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost
4. Who assisted investigators in confirming the identity of the “bear” in the video evidence?
Answer: (a) A biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
5. What was discovered at the suspects’ residence during the search warrant execution?
Answer: (a) A bear costume and metal tools resembling claws
6. How much did the fraudulent activities reportedly cost the insurance companies?
Answer: (c) $141,839
7. Which law enforcement agencies collaborated in the investigation?
Answer: (b) Glendale Police Department and California Highway Patrol
8. What is the next step for the case after being referred to the district attorney’s office?
Answer: (b) Review to determine whether charges will be formally filed
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. Investigators confirmed that the “bear” in the video evidence was a person in a costume. (Answer: True)
2. The fraudulent activities reportedly cost three insurance companies a total of $141,839. (Answer: True)
3. The investigation is referred to as “Operation Bear Claw.” (Answer: True)
4. The suspects used a life-sized bear costume to simulate attacks on their vehicles. (Answer: True)
5. The suspects were cleared of any wrongdoing in the Los Angeles area. (Answer: False)
6. The case has been dismissed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. (Answer: False)
7. The suspects were cleared of charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy. (Answer: False)
8. The investigation was conducted by the California Department of Health. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
