FBI’s ‘Most Wanted Fraudster’ Manjit Singh Bedi Back in US After Arrest in India Over Alleged $600,000 Fraud

October 16, 2026

Washington: Manjit Singh Bedi, a 64-year-old Indian-origin grocery store owner who was on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list, has been brought back to the United States from India to face charges of defrauding a US food assistance programme of at least $600,000, US officials said.

Bedi, who is from 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 Justice Department. He is scheduled to appear before the US District Court in Tacoma on Friday.

Officials have not clarified whether Bedi was extradited or deported from India.

FBI Director Confirms Bedi’s Return

FBI Director Kash Patel announced Bedi’s return in a post on X, describing him as one of the agency’s Most Wanted Fraudsters who had been arrested in India in September.

Patel thanked FBI Seattle and law enforcement partners in the United States and India for helping secure Bedi’s return. He said the operation was part of a broader effort to bring high-priority targets back to the US through international cooperation.

According to Patel, more than 260 removal actions had been carried out in 20 months, an increase of approximately 70 per cent compared with the previous period. He also said Bedi was one of six people captured since the FBI created its Most Wanted Fraudsters list three months earlier.

The FBI said Bedi fled to India after being indicted on wire fraud charges in April. According to the Justice Department, he pleaded not guilty on April 22 and left the country within a week. He was added to the FBI list on September 3, and Indian law enforcement took him into custody soon afterwards.

Acting US Attorney Neil Floyd praised the FBI and its international partners for bringing Bedi back to face the charges. Prosecutors said they would ask the court to keep him in custody pending trial, arguing that he had demonstrated both the willingness and the means to flee.

How the Alleged $600,000 Food Aid Fraud Worked

The indictment alleges that Bedi owned and operated The Asian Grocery Store in Tacoma, which was authorised to accept benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in February 2024.

Prosecutors allege that, starting in March 2024, Bedi offered SNAP recipients cash in exchange for the benefits loaded onto their electronic cards. Under the alleged arrangement, recipients received 50 cents for every dollar in benefits exchanged.

Investigators allege that Bedi collected at least $600,000 in benefits for food that was never sold. The alleged fraud was discovered in June 2025.

SNAP is a US government programme that helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy food. The charges against Bedi concern the alleged misuse of those benefits through cash exchanges rather than legitimate food purchases.

Penalties If Convicted

Wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud each carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Bedi has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The allegations remain to be tested in court, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.