FBI Retrieves Wanted Fraudster from India Ahead of Trial

The FBI’s “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list included Manjit Singh Bedi, a 64‑year‑old Indian‑American grocery retailer. After his September capture in India, the suspect was transferred back to the United States.

Bedi, who lives in Kent, Washington, is alleged to have defrauded the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of more than $600,000.

Prosecutors claim he operated The Asian Grocery Store and, from March 2024 onward, handed SNAP recipients cash equivalent to only half of the benefit recorded on their electronic cards, retaining the balance.

The cash was never used for the intended food purchases, constituting a direct breach of SNAP regulations.

The defendant was flown to the Western District of Washington on the night of October 14 and is slated to appear before the Tacoma federal court on Friday.

FBI Director Kash Patel thanked the collaborative effort of Indian, Seattle, and U.S. agencies, highlighting that more than 260 individuals have been returned to the U.S. over the past 20 months.

If found guilty, Bedi faces up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 for each wire‑fraud and SNAP‑fraud charge.