Archive · 6 Sep 2026
FBI Seeks Return of Alleged SNAP Fraudster Arrested in India
Indian police arrested Manjit Singh Bedi after US authorities accused him of SNAP benefits fraud.
SNAP is a US program that helps people buy food.
The FBI says Bedi ran a grocery store in Tacoma, Washington.
Investigators allege he took customers’ benefit cards, gave them cash instead of food, and kept part of the money.
They say the suspected fraud involved at least US$600,000.
Authorities allege Bedi left the United States after breaking supervision rules and eventually went to India.
The FBI issued a warrant and placed him on a wanted list, according to the reports.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is trying to bring Bedi back to the United States.
The allegations have not been finally decided in the reported accounts.
Jalandhar Police arrested Manjit Singh Bedi, whom US authorities accuse of defrauding at least US$600,000 in SNAP benefits.
The FBI alleges Bedi operated a grocery store in Tacoma, Washington, where customers’ EBT cards were exchanged for cash instead of food.
Authorities say the alleged fraud occurred between approximately 2024 and 2025, with one FBI account specifying March 2024 to June 2025.
The FBI says Bedi violated supervision conditions, fled through Canada to India, and became subject to a federal arrest warrant issued May 21.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is working to secure Bedi’s return to the United States; Bedi also faces a separate Indian case.
- Who
- Jalandhar Police arrested Manjit Singh Bedi, whom the FBI and Indian authorities accuse of SNAP benefits fraud.
- What
- Bedi was arrested in India over an alleged US$600,000 SNAP fraud scheme and faces a separate Indian case involving alleged cheating and criminal breach of trust.
- When
- The alleged US fraud reportedly occurred from approximately 2024 to 2025; one FBI account dates it from March 2024 to June 2025. A federal warrant was reportedly issued on May 21, and the arrest was announced in September 2026.
- Where
- Bedi was arrested in Jalandhar, Punjab, India; the alleged fraud involved his grocery store in Tacoma, Washington. Authorities also allege he travelled through Canada before reaching India.
- Why
- Police acted on information about Bedi’s whereabouts, while the FBI seeks his return over alleged SNAP and wire fraud and alleged violations of supervision conditions.
- Accused
- Manjit Singh Bedi; one report spells his first name as Manjeet
- Alleged fraud amount
- At least, or nearly, US$600,000
- Program involved
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Alleged method
- Customers’ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards were allegedly exchanged for cash instead of food, with Bedi allegedly keeping half the proceeds
- Alleged location
- A grocery store operated by Bedi in Tacoma, Washington
- Federal warrant
- Reportedly issued May 21 by a US district court after alleged violations of supervision conditions
- Reward
- One report says the FBI offered a US$150,000 reward for information leading to Bedi’s arrest
- Separate Indian case
- Registered August 16, 2026 under Sections 316(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 13 of the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act
