The Federal Bureau of Investigation has added Indian origin US citizen Manjit Singh Bedi to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving federal food assistance benefits. The FBI is seeking information about Bedi’s whereabouts and has announced a reward of up to 150,000 dollars for information that leads to his arrest and conviction.
According to the FBI, Bedi is wanted for his alleged involvement in a scheme that resulted in the loss of at least 600,000 dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits between March 2024 and June 2025. The case centres on the alleged misuse of SNAP benefits through a grocery store operated by Bedi in Tacoma, Washington.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, is a US government programme that provides food assistance to eligible low income individuals and families. Participants generally use Electronic Benefit Transfer cards to purchase approved food products from authorised retailers.
The FBI alleges that Bedi operated the Asian Grocery Store in Tacoma and used customers’ Electronic Benefit Transfer cards in transactions that were not legitimate food purchases. Instead of providing food to SNAP participants, he allegedly exchanged the benefits for cash. The FBI further alleges that Bedi kept approximately half of the proceeds from these transactions for himself.
Federal authorities estimate that the alleged activity caused losses of at least 600,000 dollars to the US government. The period identified by the FBI runs from March 2024 through June 2025.
The case later moved into the federal criminal justice system. Bedi was indicted on allegations including wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud. According to the FBI, he was initially permitted to appear in court without being taken into custody. As part of the conditions imposed on him, he was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Washington state.
The FBI says Bedi did not comply with those conditions. Instead, authorities allege that he travelled by road from the United States into Canada before eventually fleeing to India. The agency now believes that he is in India. A federal arrest warrant was issued for him on May 21, 2026, after he was charged with violating the conditions of his supervision.
The FBI has now included Bedi on its Most Wanted Fraudsters list as part of a broader effort to locate people accused of major fraud offences. The agency has offered a reward of up to 150,000 dollars for information leading to his arrest and conviction. The reward is intended to encourage members of the public and others with relevant information to contact federal authorities.
The case has attracted attention in India because Bedi was born in India and is described by US authorities as a naturalised US citizen. Reports about the case have identified him as an Indian origin man, while the FBI’s official wanted notice focuses on the allegations, his movements and the federal warrant.
The allegations against Bedi relate specifically to SNAP benefits fraud and wire fraud. They should not be confused with allegations of terrorism or violent crime. His inclusion on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list is connected to the alleged financial fraud and his status as a fugitive following the criminal charges.
The case also highlights the importance of controls surrounding government benefit programmes in the United States. SNAP benefits are intended to help eligible households purchase food, and retailers authorised to accept SNAP payments are required to follow federal rules governing those transactions.
According to the FBI’s account, the alleged scheme involved converting benefits intended for food purchases into cash. Such transactions can undermine the purpose of government assistance programmes and create financial losses for the federal government.
The FBI has said that it is continuing efforts to locate Bedi. Authorities are particularly interested in information that could help determine his current whereabouts and assist in securing his arrest.
The reward announced by the FBI is up to 150,000 dollars. The agency has published Bedi’s photograph and identifying information on its official wanted page and is asking anyone with relevant information to contact the FBI.
The development also illustrates the consequences of allegedly violating conditions imposed after a federal indictment. According to the FBI, Bedi had been instructed to remain in Washington state and surrender his passport, but authorities allege that he crossed into Canada and subsequently travelled to India.
At this stage, the allegations remain allegations unless and until established in court. Being placed on a wanted list or facing federal charges does not by itself constitute a criminal conviction. The FBI is seeking his arrest and prosecution through the US federal justice system.
The case is likely to receive continued attention because of the alleged scale of the SNAP fraud, the international movement of the accused and the reward offered by US authorities. The FBI’s public notice provides the primary source for the allegations and the current wanted status.
For readers in India, the case is also significant because authorities in the United States believe Bedi fled to India after allegedly violating his release conditions. Any future developments involving his location, arrest, extradition or court proceedings would depend on actions by US and Indian authorities and applicable legal procedures.
The FBI’s announcement is part of its broader campaign against financial fraud. By publishing wanted notices and offering financial rewards, US authorities seek public assistance in locating fugitives accused of serious economic offences.
The case involving Manjit Singh Bedi therefore remains an active federal investigation and prosecution matter. The FBI continues to seek information that could lead to his arrest and conviction, while the allegations against him remain subject to judicial proceedings.