The FBI has placed Manjit Singh Bedi on its 'Most Wanted Fraudsters' list for an alleged $600,000 SNAP benefit scam. The suspect is believed to have fled to India.

  • Manjit Singh Bedi is accused of defrauding the US government of at least $600,000.
  • The scheme involved swiping SNAP EBT cards at his Tacoma grocery store for cash.
  • An FBI reward of up to $150,000 has been offered for information leading to his arrest.
  • Bedi allegedly breached court orders and fled to India via Canada.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has officially added Indian-born Manjit Singh Bedi to its prestigious 'Most Wanted Fraudsters' list. Bedi, a naturalized US citizen, stands accused of orchestrating a massive fraudulent scheme targeting the US government’s food assistance program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (SNAP).

According to investigative reports, Bedi operated his illegal scheme through the Asian Grocery Store located in Tacoma, Washington. Between March 2024 and June 2025, Bedi allegedly swiped customers' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, providing them with cash instead of the food they were entitled to, while pocketing nearly half of the proceeds for himself. This criminal activity resulted in losses exceeding $600,000 (approximately ₹5.3 crore) to the US government.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case highlights the vulnerabilities in the digital distribution of government welfare benefits. Large-scale fraud in programs like SNAP not only drains public coffers but also undermines the integrity of social safety nets designed for the most vulnerable citizens in the United States.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the Bureau is intensifying its crackdown on high-level fraud, adding Bedi to the list alongside the White House Fraud Task Force.

The situation escalated when Bedi, who had been indicted for wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud, allegedly violated his release conditions. Instead of complying with court-ordered supervision, which included surrendering his passport, Bedi reportedly drove across the border into Canada before making his way to India. A federal arrest warrant was issued on May 21 following his breach of supervision terms.

Historically, the FBI has successfully tracked down fugitives involved in multi-billion dollar fraud cases across multiple continents. The agency has emphasized that it is "not slowing down" in its pursuit of international financial criminals who attempt to evade justice by fleeing the country.

Did You Know?: The SNAP program is one of the largest nutrition assistance programs in the world, serving millions of low-income individuals every month.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the specific method of fraud used by Bedi?
Bedi used his grocery store to swipe EBT cards and exchange them for cash, effectively converting government food benefits into illicit liquid assets.

2. Is there a reward for information regarding his whereabouts?
Yes, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.