Department of Justice announces over 1,000 major fraud enforcement actions
Since the National Fraud Enforcement Division was established, the Department of Justice has initiated more than 1,000 major fraud enforcement actions nationwide. The coordinated investigations are focused on protecting taxpayer funds from schemes targeting programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, HUD, Social Security and the Small Business Administration. Those federal initiatives provide essential support to vulnerable Americans, including the elderly, people who are sick and individuals experiencing homelessness.
A fugitive accused of illegally obtaining more than $600,000 in federal food stamp benefits has been brought back to the United States after his arrest in India last month, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Manjit Singh Bedi, listed among the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, faces federal charges tied to an alleged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud operation at a Tacoma, Washington, grocery store.
“BACK IN THE U.S. – Manjit Singh Bedi, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, arrested in September in India,” Patel wrote in a post on X.
Patel pointed to the case as the latest example of the FBI’s efforts to locate and return wanted fugitives to the United States.
Manjit Singh Bedi is pictured in an undated FBI photograph. Authorities arrested Bedi in India on Friday after 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.
“Over the past 20 months, we’ve secured 260 extraditions and removals — an increase of more than 70% compared to the previous 20-month period,” he added.
Federal officials allege that Bedi defrauded the U.S. government of at least $600,000 between March 2024 and June 2025. Investigators say the alleged SNAP fraud took place while he operated 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 (EBT) cards, exchanged their benefits for cash rather than eligible food purchases and retained about half of the value for himself.
Following his indictment in the case, Bedi allegedly drove to Canada and then escaped to India.
A federal arrest warrant accusing him of violating the terms of his release was issued on May 21, 2026.
Patel said Bedi is the sixth fugitive captured through the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program since the list was launched three months ago.
FBI ADDS 2 FUGITIVES TO ‘MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS’ LIST AMID HISTORIC $6.5B HEALTHCARE TAKEDOWN: PATEL
An undated FBI photograph 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 leading to his arrest and conviction.
Patel said Bedi will now face justice in the United States over the alleged offenses.
“Thank you to our outstanding partners for their assistance in this case,” Patel wrote.