India-Born Manjit Singh Bedi Added to FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters List, USD 150,000 Reward Offered
Federal authorities have added India-born store owner Manjit Singh Bedi to the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters list for his alleged role in a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar benefits fraud scheme. The federal agency is offering a reward of up to USD 150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Federal authorities have added India-born store owner Manjit Singh Bedi to the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters list for his alleged role in a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar benefits fraud scheme. The federal agency is offering a reward of up to USD 150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Bedi, 65, owned and operated the Asian Grocery Store in Tacoma, Washington, where he was authorized to process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) transactions. According to federal investigators, Bedi executed an illegal scheme between March 2024 and June 2025 by swiping customers' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for cash payouts rather than providing food items. Investigators state Bedi pocketed roughly 50 percent of the transaction amounts, siphoning off at least $600,000 in taxpayer dollars meant for low-income families. FBI Places Indian National Kamal on Most Wanted List over Alleged Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Links.
Officials emphasized the impact of the fraud on vulnerable populations reliant on food support. W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, noted that the diverted benefits were meant to assist low-income residents in meeting basic nutritional needs.
Following his indictment on charges of wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud, Bedi—a naturalized U.S. citizen—was permitted to remain out of custody prior to trial due to a lack of prior criminal history. A judge ordered Bedi to surrender his passport and stay within Washington state. However, authorities report Bedi subsequently drove into Canada and fled to India. Indian National Major Singh on FBI Most Wanted List Over Alleged Role in Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Crime Group.
Manjit Singh Bedi Wanted by FBI Over EBT Fraud
The #FBI has added Manjit Singh Bedi to its Most Wanted Fraudsters List. He is #wanted for his alleged involvement in a benefits fraud scheme that defrauded the United States Government out of at least $600,000 between March of 2024 and June of 2025 in Tacoma, Washington. A… pic.twitter.com/oGJNdkz9E8
— FBI Most Wanted (@FBIMostWanted) September 3, 2026
A federal arrest warrant was issued on May 21 after Bedi failed to adhere to his release conditions. Federal law enforcement officers warned that aiding a fleeing fugitive carries potential criminal liability. The investigation remains active under the coordination of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2026 07:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
