FBI Director Kash Patel Announces Alleged Fraudster Manjit Singh Bedi Nabbed In India

FBI Director Kash Patel, announced the capture of an individual of Indian origin listed on FBIs Most Wanted Fraudsters list, September 5, 2026. Following is the text posted by Director Patel – “CAPTURED: Another FBI Most Wanted Fraudster. This is the 5th Most Wanted Fraudster captured since the creation of the new list three months ago – and yet another high value target captured overseas. Subjects captured so far have been responsible for a combined over $2 billion in fraud and were on the run for almost 4,000 days collectively prior to arrest. MANJIT SINGH BEDI – on the run for nearly a year – was arrested for allegedly defrauding the U.S. of at least $600k in SNAP funds from approximately 2024 to 2025 – orchestrating a scheme out of a grocery store he operated here in the U.S. Bedi was just arrested in India and was believed have fled there sometime last year. FBI is actively working to secure his return to the United States. Bedi is charged with a series of offenses including wire fraud, SNAP benefits fraud, and more.”

Patel thanked law enforcement partners, the Department of Justice, the White House Fraud Task Force, “and more who continue to work with us on this historic initiative under the leadership of” President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

Two days earlier on September 3, the Justice Department had issued a “Wanted” order with an award of $150,000 for information leading to Bedi’s arrest and conviction.

Bedi, 65, of Tacoma, Washington, was added to the FBI’s new Most Wanted Fraudsters list along with two other cases from the FBI Tampa and Los Angeles field offices, on the warrant for his arrest.

Bedi was wanted for his alleged involvement in a benefits fraud scheme that defrauded the U.S. government of at least $600,000 between March 2024 and June 2025. Bedi operated a small grocery store in Tacoma, Washington, called Asian Grocery Store. He purportedly sold food to participants of the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) through their EBT cards.

“However, instead of selling participants food, Bedi is alleged to have swiped their cards and given them cash, keeping half of the proceeds for himself. After being indicted for wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud, Bedi was allowed to appear in court without being arrested. He was ordered to give up his passport and remain in Washington state. However, Bedi soon drove across the border to Canada and then fled to India,” the September 3 press release said.

Bedi is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

On May 21, 2026, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Bedi in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, Tacoma, Washington, after he was charged with violations of conditions of supervision.

The FBI launched the Most Wanted Fraudsters list with 8 individuals on June 4, 2026, a new wanted list dedicated to publicly identifying individuals charged with defrauding the American people.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.