FBI Most Wanted Fraudster Manjit Singh Bedi Returned to the US From India in USD 6,00,000 SNAP Fraud Case

Manjit Singh Bedi, an Indian-origin grocery store owner listed on the FBI’s "Most Wanted Fraudsters" list, has been returned to the United States from India to face federal charges for allegedly defrauding a US food assistance program of at least USD 6,00,000, American officials confirmed.

Announcing the return, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X: “BACK IN THE U.S. - Manjit Singh Bedi, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, arrested in September in India.” India-Born Manjit Singh Bedi Added to FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters List, USD 150,000 Reward Offered.

Bedi Is One of Six Most Wanted Fraudsters Captured Since the Creation of the New List Three Months Ago

BACK IN THE U.S. - Manjit Singh Bedi, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, arrested in September in India.

This marks yet another significant moment for the historic FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program - Bedi is one of six Most Wanted Fraudsters captured since the creation of the new list three months ago – and yet another high value target captured overseas – in a group responsible for a combined over $2 billion in fraud and on the run for almost 4,000 days collectively prior to arrest.

He is charged with defrauding the U.S. of at least $600k in SNAP funds from approximately 2024 to 2025, and now will face justice for his alleged crimes.

Thank you to our outstanding partners for their assistance in this case.

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 15, 2026

Custody Transfer and Legal Proceedings

Bedi, 64, of Kent in Washington state, was handed over to federal agents and arrived in the Western District of Washington on the night of October 14, according to the US Department of Justice. He is scheduled to make a court appearance in the US District Court in Tacoma on Friday. US officials did not specify whether Bedi was extradited or deported from India.

Crediting cross-border law enforcement cooperation, Patel said in a statement: “Thank you to FBI Seattle, as well our brilliant law enforcement partners here in the U.S. and in India, for assisting in securing Bedi’s return. This is the latest in a tremendously successful run of returning high value targets to the U.S. by engaging with foreign partners – with over 260 removal actions in just 20 months, up over approximately 70 per cent from the previous period.”

Patel noted that Bedi was “one of six Most Wanted Fraudsters captured since the creation of the new list three months ago – and yet another high value target captured overseas”.

After Being Indicted for Wire Fraud in April, Manjit Singh Bedi Fled to India

FBI MOST WANTED FRAUDSTER, MANJIT SINGH BEDI, RETURNED TO U.S.

Bedi was arrested after allegedly defrauding the U.S. by diverting SNAP funds intended for those in need for his own personal gain. After being indicted for wire fraud in April, he fled to India.

"There is not a place in the world where the FBI’s wanted posters cannot reach. And Bedi’s wanted poster quickly reached people who were able to report where he was located in India," said @FBISeattle Special Agent in Charge, Mike Herrington.

Thank you to our law enforcement partners and the @WHFraudTF who continue to work with us on this critical initiative.

— FBI (@FBI) October 16, 2026

Indictment, Flight, and Capture in India

Detailing the timeline of Bedi's escape, the FBI posted on X: “After being indicted for wire fraud in April, he fled to India.” According to the Justice Department, Bedi pleaded not guilty on April 22 and fled to India within a week. He was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list on September 3, after which “law enforcement in India quickly took Bedi into custody”.

Speaking on the extradition, Acting US Attorney Neil Floyd said: “I commend the work of the FBI and international partners to get Mr. Bedi back to the US to face justice. We will ask the court to detain him pending trial as he has demonstrated he has the will and the means to flee. Those who take advantage of America’s generosity must be held accountable.” Manjit Singh Bedi Arrested: FBI Most-Wanted Fraudster Apprehended by Jalandhar Police.

Details of the Alleged SNAP Scheme

The federal indictment alleges that Bedi owned and operated The Asian Grocery Store in Tacoma, which received authorization to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in February 2024. Beginning in March 2024, prosecutors allege that Bedi provided SNAP recipients cash in exchange for their electronic card benefits at 50 cents on the dollar. He allegedly pocketed at least USD 600,000 in government benefits for food that was never sold until the scheme was uncovered in June 2025. Both wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud carry statutory penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a USD 250,000 fine per count upon conviction.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2026 09:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).