The alleged scheme
Manjit Singh Bedi, once one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, is back on U.S. soil after being caught in India. He’s accused of running a massive, lowkey shady operation out of his Asian grocery store in Tacoma, Washington. Between March 2024 and June 2025, officials say he was swiping EBT cards from SNAP recipients, trading cash for food benefits, and pocketing about half of the funds—all totaling at least $600,000. It’s giving major L energy to steal from people relying on government assistance to get by.
The great escape
When the law started closing in, Bedi didn't just stay put. According to federal officials, he allegedly drove up to Canada before making a run for it to India. A federal warrant was issued for his arrest in May 2026 after he skipped out on his legal obligations. But the run didn't last forever. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest on X, noting that Bedi is one of six fugitives captured through the bureau’s new "Most Wanted Fraudsters" program, which is only three months old.
Patel highlighted that this is all part of a bigger flex by the Department of Justice, which has launched over 1,000 major fraud actions since starting its National Fraud Enforcement Division. "This is the latest in an unprecedented stretch of success in bringing high-value targets back to the United States," Patel said. The FBI had even posted a $150,000 reward for info leading to his capture. Say less—the feds finally got their guy.
Why it matters
Federal programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and Social Security exist to keep vulnerable folks housed and fed. When people manipulate these systems for profit, it takes resources away from those who actually need them, and the DOJ is signaling that they are highkey coming for anyone trying to game the system.
