Indian Grocery Store Owner Extradited to the U.S. on Fraud Charges Exceeding $600,000

Kent, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : Manjeet Singh Bedi, an Indian-origin grocery store owner, has been extradited from India to the United States to face allegations of defrauding a U.S. food assistance program. The FBI had placed Bedi on its “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list, highlighting the seriousness of the charges against him.

According to U.S. authorities, the 64-year-old resident of Kent, Washington, is accused of committing fraud amounting to at least $600,000 through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He is set to appear in court in Tacoma on Friday to address these charges.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced Bedi’s extradition on social media, confirming that he was apprehended in India in September before being sent back to the U.S. Bedi was handed over to federal agents and arrived in the Western District of Washington on the night of October 14.

Patel expressed gratitude to law enforcement agencies in both the U.S. and India for their collaboration in securing Bedi’s return. He noted that over the past 20 months, U.S. authorities have successfully brought back more than 260 wanted individuals, a significant increase compared to previous years.

Bedi reportedly fled to India after being charged with wire fraud in April. He had pleaded not guilty in court but left the country within a week. His name was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list on September 3, leading to his eventual capture by Indian law enforcement.

Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd commended the efforts of the FBI and international partners in ensuring Bedi’s return to face justice. He indicated that the prosecution would seek to keep Bedi in custody until trial, citing his previous attempts to flee.

Bedi is identified as the owner and operator of The Asian Grocery Store, which was authorized to accept SNAP benefits starting in February 2024. Prosecutors allege that from March 2024, Bedi began exchanging cash for the benefits on customers’ electronic cards, offering only 50 cents for every dollar of benefits while pocketing the difference.

Investigators revealed that Bedi managed to acquire over $600,000 through this fraudulent scheme, claiming it was for food products that were never actually sold. The fraud was uncovered in June 2025. If convicted, Bedi faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for both wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud.