January 1, FBI Nabs Fugitive SNAP Fraudster After India Arrest

Wyatt’s Take

• Hardworking Americans are sick of watching their tax dollars get stolen in massive fraud schemes
• The FBI is finally cracking down on crooks who rip off SNAP benefits meant for struggling families
• Bringing these fugitives back from overseas shows real results when law enforcement gets serious

A fugitive accused of stealing more than $600,000 in federal food stamp benefits has been returned to the United States after being arrested in India last month, FBI Director Kash Patel announced.

Manjit Singh Bedi, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, was wanted on federal charges stemming from an alleged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud scheme at a grocery store in Tacoma, Washington.

“BACK IN THE U.S. – Manjit Singh Bedi, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, arrested in September in India,” Patel posted on X.

Patel highlighted the FBI’s recent success in bringing fugitives back to the United States.

“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,” Patel said.

“Over the past 20 months, we’ve secured 260 extraditions and removals — an increase of more than 70% compared to the previous 20-month period,” he added.

According to federal officials, Bedi allegedly defrauded the U.S. government of at least $600,000 through a SNAP fraud scheme between March 2024 and June 2025 while operating an Asian grocery store in Tacoma.

The FBI said Bedi allegedly swiped SNAP recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, provided cash instead of eligible food purchases and kept roughly half the benefits for himself.

After being indicted in connection with the scheme, Bedi allegedly drove to Canada before fleeing to India.

A federal arrest warrant charging him with violating the conditions of his release was issued on May 21, 2026.

Patel said Bedi is now one of six fugitives captured through the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program since the list was created three months ago.

“This marks yet another significant moment for the historic FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program,” he said.

Bedi, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was previously the subject of an FBI reward offering up to $150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Patel said Bedi will now face justice in the United States for his alleged crimes.

“Thank you to our outstanding partners for their assistance in this case,” Patel wrote.

Wyatt Matters

Hardworking taxpayers deserve to know their money isn’t being stolen by crooks gaming the system. When law enforcement does its job and brings these thieves to justice, it restores some faith that the rules still apply to everyone.