FBI puts India-born US citizen on most wanted list over benefits fraud

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has added India-born Manjit Singh Bedi to its list of most wanted fraudsters over alleged fraud involving the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (SNAP).

Bedi, a naturalised US citizen, is accused of using his grocery store in Tacoma, Washington, to illegally convert government food benefits into cash. The FBI alleges that the scheme caused losses of at least USD 600,000 between March 2024 and June 2025.

Alleged scheme at Tacoma grocery store

Bedi operated Asian Grocery Store in Tacoma, where SNAP participants could use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to purchase eligible food items.

According to the FBI, however, Bedi allegedly used the cards for transactions that did not involve the sale of food. Instead, customers received cash, while Bedi kept half of the proceeds.

The agency said the alleged conduct amounted to fraud against the US government and led to Bedi being charged with wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud.

"A reward of up to USD 150,000 is offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction," the FBI said.

Bedi allegedly fled to India

Following his indictment, Bedi was permitted to appear in court without being taken into custody. He was required to surrender his passport and remain within Washington state while the case proceeded.

The FBI alleges that Bedi subsequently violated those conditions. He reportedly drove from Washington across the US-Canada border before leaving Canada and travelling to India.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for him on May 21 by a US district court after he was charged with violations of his conditions of supervision.

The FBI has now placed Bedi among its most wanted fraud suspects as authorities seek information that could lead to his arrest and conviction. The agency's allegations form the basis of the charges against him.