The FBI said it coordinated with law enforcement officials in India to take Bedi into custody and is now working to bring him back to the United States, where he is expected to face the pending charges.
Bedi is the fifth fugitive arrested under the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program, an effort focused on locating suspects accused of large-scale financial crimes.
Since its launch in June, the initiative has resulted in five arrests. According to the FBI, those fugitives are collectively tied to alleged fraud schemes totaling more than $2 billion and had spent nearly 4,000 combined days evading authorities.
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An undated FBI image shows Manjit Singh Bedi, who authorities allege cheated the U.S. government out of at least $600,000 through a SNAP benefits fraud scheme before fleeing to India. (FBI)
Federal officials said the latest arrest highlights the FBI’s continued push to track down alleged fraud fugitives who leave the country in hopes of avoiding prosecution.
“Capturing five Most Wanted Fraudsters in only three months is a historic achievement for this initiative,” FBI Director Kash Patel told News Outlet.
“The era of exploiting American taxpayers and escaping accountability is over.”
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.
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Manjit Singh Bedi, who investigators allege defrauded the U.S. government out of at least $600,000 through a SNAP benefits fraud scheme before fleeing to India. (FBI)
According to the FBI, Bedi 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.
Manjit Singh Bedi in an undated FBI photo. Authorities arrested Bedi in India Friday after alleging he fled the United States while facing wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud charges. (FBI)
“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 News Outlet.
“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.”
