EXCLUSIVE: FBI's fifth 'Most Wanted Fraudster' captured after alleged SNAP scam suspect arrested in India

FBI’s “Most Wanted Fraudsters” Initiative Nets Fifth Arrest in India

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a high‑profile operation that underscored the federal government’s willingness to pursue financial criminals overseas, the FBI secured the arrest of Manjit Singh Bedi in India on Friday. The move marked the fifth arrest under the bureau’s “Most Wanted Fraudsters” initiative, which was launched in June and has already led to the capture of fugitives who collectively allegedly defrauded the U.S. government of more than $2 billion.

Bedi, a naturalized U.S. citizen who operated an Asian grocery store in Tacoma, Washington, is accused of siphoning at least $600,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits between March 2024 and June 2025. Federal investigators say he swiped Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards from recipients, exchanged the benefits for cash and kept roughly half of the value for himself. After being indicted on wire‑fraud and SNAP‑fraud charges, Bedi was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Washington state while awaiting court proceedings. Instead, he allegedly crossed the Canadian border and fled to India. A federal arrest warrant for violating release conditions was issued on May 21, 2026.

The FBI offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to Bedi’s arrest and conviction. U.S. authorities worked closely with Indian law‑enforcement agencies to secure the fugitive’s detention and are now arranging his return to the United States to face the pending charges.

“It’s a historic success for this initiative,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Five most wanted fraudsters captured in just three months is a historic success for this initiative. The days of taking advantage of American taxpayers without consequence are over.” Patel also noted that the five suspects are alleged to have committed more than $2 billion in fraud and spent nearly 4,000 combined days on the run before their arrests.

Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division echoed the sentiment. “As this arrest in India shows, the Justice Department’s reach extends to every corner of the planet,” he said. “The Fraud Division will continue to work hand‑in‑hand with the FBI to ensure fraudsters like Bedi are held accountable, no matter where they hide.”

Bedi’s capture is the latest example of the FBI’s aggressive push to bring high‑profile financial criminals to justice, regardless of where they have fled. The bureau said it is working to return the suspect to U.S. custody and to press the charges that have been pending since his indictment.