Fraudster Extradited from India to Face Charges in the U.S.
Washington, D.C. – A notorious fraudster wanted for exploiting U.S. government programs has been extradited from India, as confirmed by the Department of Justice.
Manjeet Singh Bedi, who was arrested in India last month, returned to the United States on Wednesday night, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd.
Bedi is scheduled to appear in court in the Western District of Washington on Friday. FBI Director Kash Patel commented on Bedi’s extradition, calling it a significant achievement for the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program. He expressed gratitude to the FBI office in Seattle and law enforcement agencies in both the U.S. and India for their roles in Bedi’s return.
Floyd indicated that the FBI would request the court to keep Bedi in custody until his trial, citing concerns over his willingness and ability to flee again.
Bedi previously ran a grocery store in Tacoma, Washington, known as Asian Grocery Store, where he allegedly sold food to customers using their EBT cards, intended for Supplemental Nutrition (SN) program participants. He was indicted for wire fraud and abusing SN benefits but was initially allowed to appear in court without being arrested, provided he surrendered his passport and stayed in Washington.
However, Bedi managed to leave the U.S., crossing into Canada before making his way to India, as noted by the FBI. W. Mike Herrington, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office, remarked on the collaborative effort that led to Bedi’s return, highlighting the vital role played by public tips and international law enforcement partnerships.
Patel reported that Bedi is accused of defrauding the U.S. government of at least $600,000 in SN funds between 2024 and 2025. He is now set to face justice for these alleged crimes. Patel further noted that this successful extradition is part of a broader initiative, with over 260 high-value targets returned to the U.S. in the past 20 months, an increase of nearly 70% compared to earlier efforts.
