Fugitive Accused in $600K SNAP Fraud Scheme Returned to US from India
Manjit Singh Bedi, one of the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters, faces federal charges after his arrest and extradition.
A fugitive accused of orchestrating a scheme that defrauded the U.S. government of over $600,000 in food stamp benefits has been returned to the United States following his arrest in India, FBI Director Kash Patel announced.
Manjit Singh Bedi, identified as one of the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters, was apprehended in India last month. He faces federal charges related to an alleged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud scheme at a grocery store he operated in Tacoma, Washington.
"BACK IN THE US – Manjit Singh Bedi, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, arrested in September in India," Patel stated on social media platform X. He highlighted this case as the latest in a series of successes in apprehending fugitives abroad through international law enforcement partnerships.
According to Patel, the FBI has secured 260 extraditions and removals over the past 20 months, marking a more than 70% increase compared to the preceding 20-month period. "This is the latest in an unprecedented stretch of success in bringing high-value targets back to the United States through strong partnerships with our foreign law enforcement counterparts," he added.
Federal officials allege that between March 2024 and June 2025, Bedi systematically defrauded the SNAP program. The scheme involved allegedly swiping SNAP recipients' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at his grocery store, providing cash in return for eligible food purchases, and retaining approximately half of the benefit amount for himself.
Following his indictment in connection with the scheme, Bedi is reported to have fled the U.S., first traveling to Canada before making his way to India. A federal arrest warrant charging him with violating the conditions of his release was issued on May 21, 2026.
Bedi is among six fugitives apprehended through the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program since its inception three months ago. The program offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in significant fraud cases. Bedi, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was previously the subject of an FBI reward offering up to $150,000 for such information.
"This marks yet another significant moment for the historic FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program," Patel commented. Bedi is now expected to face justice in the United States for the alleged crimes.