EXCLUSIVE: FBI's fifth 'Most Wanted Fraudster' captured after alleged SNAP scam suspect arrested in India
FIRST ON FOX: The FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters initiative notched its fifth arrest in just three months after authorities in India arrested Manjit Singh Bedi on Friday, with the bureau now working to return the alleged SNAP benefits fraud suspect to the United States, Fox News Digital has learned.
The FBI worked with Indian authorities to secure Bedi's arrest and is actively working to return him to the U.S. to face charges, according to the bureau. Bedi's arrest marks the fifth under the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters initiative, which targets fugitives accused of major financial crimes.
Launched in June, the initiative has led to the arrests of five fugitives whom the FBI says are collectively accused of more than $2 billion in alleged fraud after spending nearly 4,000 combined days on the run.
FBI officials say the latest arrest underscores the bureau's effort to pursue alleged fraudsters who fled overseas in an attempt to evade prosecution.
"Five Most Wanted Fraudsters captured in just three months is a historic success for this initiative," FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital.
Patel said the five suspects are allegedly responsible for more than $2 billion in fraud and spent nearly 4,000 combined days on the run before their arrests.
"The days of taking advantage of American taxpayers without consequence are over," Patel said.
Federal investigators allege Bedi defrauded the U.S. government out of at least $600,000 through a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud scheme between March 2024 and June 2025, while operating an Asian grocery store in Tacoma, Washington.
According to the FBI, Bedi allegedly swiped SNAP recipients' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, gave them cash instead of eligible food purchases and kept roughly half of the benefits for himself.
After being indicted on wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud charges, Bedi was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Washington state while awaiting court proceedings, according to the FBI.
Investigators allege he instead drove across the Canadian border before fleeing to India. A federal arrest warrant charging him with violating the conditions of his release was issued on May 21, 2026.
The FBI had offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to Bedi's arrest and conviction. The bureau said the naturalized U.S. citizen was believed to be living in India before his arrest.
"As this arrest in India shows, the Justice Department's reach extends to every corner of the planet," Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division told Fox News Digital.
"The Fraud Division will continue to work hand-in-hand with the FBI to ensure fraudsters like Bedi are held accountable, no matter where they hide."
The FBI said it is working to return Bedi to the U.S. to face the pending charges.