The FBI has apprehended its fifth fugitive from the 'Most Wanted Fraudsters' list, arresting Manjit Singh Bedi in India on Friday. Bedi is accused of defrauding the U.S. government of at least $600,000 through a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud scheme.
The FBI is currently working with Indian authorities to facilitate Bedi's extradition back to the United States to face charges. This arrest marks a significant success for the FBI's initiative, launched in June, which targets individuals accused of major financial crimes.
According to federal investigators, Bedi operated an Asian grocery store in Tacoma, Washington, between March 2024 and June 2025. During this period, he allegedly manipulated SNAP recipients' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Instead of facilitating eligible food purchases, Bedi reportedly provided cash to recipients and retained approximately half of the benefits for himself.
Following his indictment on wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud charges, Bedi was ordered by a court to surrender his passport and remain in Washington state pending trial. However, investigators allege he violated these conditions by crossing the Canadian border and subsequently fleeing to India. A federal arrest warrant charging him with violating the conditions of his release was issued on May 21, 2026.
The FBI had offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to Bedi's arrest and conviction. The bureau stated that Bedi is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was believed to be living in India before his capture.
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the initiative's success, noting that the five captured fugitives are collectively accused of more than $2 billion in fraud and had evaded authorities for nearly 4,000 combined days. "The days of taking advantage of American taxpayers without consequence are over," Patel stated.
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division emphasized the global reach of law enforcement efforts. "As this arrest in India shows, the Justice Department's reach extends to every corner of the planet," McDonald 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."