FBI MOST WANTED FRAUD SUSPECT ARRESTED IN INDIA OVER ALLEGED $600,000 SNAP BENEFITS SCHEME
A Tacoma grocery store owner accused of stealing at least $600,000 from the United States government’s food assistance programme has been arrested in India after allegedly fleeing the United States through Canada.
Manjit Singh Bedi, 65, was arrested by Punjab Police in Jalandhar after appearing on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list.
Bedi is an India born naturalized United States citizen who operated Asian Grocery Store in Tacoma, Washington.
Federal prosecutors accuse him of operating a scheme involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP.
HOW THE ALLEGED SCHEME WORKED
According to the FBI and US Justice Department, Bedi’s grocery store was authorized to accept SNAP benefits through Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.
Prosecutors allege that instead of selling eligible food to some customers, Bedi would swipe their EBT cards and provide cash.
In one example described by prosecutors, $200 would allegedly be charged to a customer’s EBT card.
The customer would receive $100 in cash while Bedi allegedly kept the remaining $100.
Federal authorities allege that at least $600,000 in SNAP benefits intended for food purchases was obtained through the scheme between March 2024 and June 2025.
BEDI FLED THROUGH CANADA
Bedi was indicted on multiple counts of wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud.
He initially appeared in federal court and pleaded not guilty.
Authorities allowed him to remain outside custody under supervision, but he was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Washington State.
The FBI alleges that Bedi subsequently drove across the border into Canada before fleeing to India.
A federal arrest warrant was issued on May 21, 2026 after he was charged with violating the conditions of his supervision.
The FBI later placed Bedi on its Most Wanted Fraudsters list and offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
ARRESTED IN PUNJAB
Punjab Police arrested Bedi in Jalandhar after receiving information about his whereabouts.
The FBI says it worked with Indian authorities to secure his arrest.
US authorities are now working to return Bedi to the United States, where he faces the pending federal case.
His capture represents the fifth arrest connected with the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters initiative in approximately three months.
The initiative targets fugitives accused of major financial crimes.
WHY SNAP FRAUD MATTERS
SNAP is designed to help low income households purchase food.
Federal prosecutors argue that fraud involving the programme does not simply affect taxpayers. It can divert resources intended to provide food assistance to vulnerable families.
Bedi has not been convicted of the SNAP and wire fraud charges.
The allegations against him remain to be proven in court, and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Should cases involving alleged fraud against programmes intended for vulnerable families receive greater public attention?
VNTV
