Department of Justice announces over 1,000 major fraud enforcement actions
Since the National Fraud Enforcement Division was created, the Department of Justice has pursued more than 1,000 significant fraud cases nationwide. The coordinated crackdown is focused on protecting taxpayer funds from fraud involving Medicaid, SNAP, HUD, Social Security and Small Business Administration programs—resources intended to support vulnerable Americans, including seniors, people who are ill and those experiencing homelessness.
A fugitive accused of siphoning more than $600,000 in federal food assistance has been brought back to the United States after being arrested in India last month, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Manjit Singh Bedi, who appeared on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list, faces federal charges tied to an alleged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, scheme at an Asian grocery store in Tacoma, Washington.
“BACK IN THE U.S. — Manjit Singh Bedi, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, arrested in September in India,” Patel wrote on X.
The FBI director pointed to Bedi’s return as the latest example of the agency’s efforts to locate fugitives and bring them back to face prosecution in the United States.
Manjit Singh Bedi is pictured in an undated FBI image. Authorities arrested Bedi in India on Friday, alleging that he fled the United States while facing wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud charges. (FBI)
“This is the latest in an unprecedented stretch of success in bringing high-value targets back to the United States through strong partnerships with our foreign law enforcement counterparts,” Patel said.
He added that the FBI had secured 260 extraditions and removals during the previous 20 months, representing an increase of more than 70% over the comparable period before that.
Federal officials allege that Bedi defrauded the government of at least $600,000 between March 2024 and June 2025 while running an Asian grocery store in Tacoma.
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks at a press conference on Oct. 23, 2025, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
According to the FBI, Bedi allegedly took SNAP recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, exchanged their benefits for cash rather than approved food purchases and retained about half of the funds.
After he was indicted in the case, investigators say Bedi traveled by car to Canada and later escaped to India.
A federal arrest warrant was issued May 21, 2026, alleging that he violated the terms of his release.
Patel said Bedi is the sixth fugitive arrested through the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters initiative since the program launched three months earlier.
FBI ADDS 2 FUGITIVES TO ‘MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS’ LIST AMID HISTORIC $6.5B HEALTHCARE TAKEDOWN: PATEL
An undated FBI image shows Manjit Singh Bedi, whom investigators accuse of defrauding the U.S. government of at least $600,000 through a SNAP benefits scheme before fleeing to India. (FBI)
“This marks yet another significant moment for the historic FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program,” Patel said.
Bedi, a naturalized U.S. citizen, had been the subject of an FBI reward of up to $150,000 for information that led to his arrest and conviction.
Patel said Bedi will now face the U.S. justice system over the allegations against him.
“Thank you to our outstanding partners for their assistance in this case,” Patel wrote.
