The FBI busted the first suspect from its new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list Wednesday, nabbing former Minneapolis deli owner Said Abdullahi Ereg, who is accused of swindling $4.2 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ereg, 47, surrendered to authorities less than a week after being placed on the FBI’s roster of shame and faces charges of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
“Today’s arrest is historic – the first ever arrest of a subject on our Most Wanted Fraudsters List released last week with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
Said Abdullahi Ereg faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. FBI
Ereg surrendered less than a week after the Justice Department unveiled its “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list. FBI“Said Abdullahi Ereg, wanted on federal charges since 2024, was taken into custody this afternoon in Minnesota after he allegedly stole over $4 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2021.”
Last week, the FBI and White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud announced the creation of the “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list to bring national attention to swindlers who make off with taxpayer dollars meant for vital services.
Ereg ran a Minneapolis grocery store named Evergreen Grocery and Deli, which had been backed by the notorious nonprofit Feeding Our Future, which the feds have accused of swiping more than $250 million meant for needy children.
An investigation into Feeding Our Future has led to dozens of arrests.
The feds have alleged that while Ereg claimed that he was using the money to distribute needed meals, he was acutally laundering cash through a network of shady foreign accounts to pay for his upscale way of living.
Under Ereg’s watch, Evergreen Grocery and Deli said it handed out more than 6,000 meals per day, according to court documents.
FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before the Senate Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies hearing on May 12, 2026. APThe FBI claimed to have convinced Ereg to return to the US and face charges after talks with his attorney.
Last year, the feds secured a guilty plea from Ereg’s wife, Najmo Ahmed, who also faced charges of money laundering and is set to face sentencing later this month.
Vice President JD Vance listens as FBI Director Kash Patel announces the agency’s “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list. Fox NewsPresident Trump’s administration has placed an emphasis on attacking benefit fraud across America.
“Led by Vice President Vance and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, we set up the historic, first ever ‘Most Wanted Fraudsters’ list for this exact purpose,” Patel said, “to bring to justice the alleged worst of the worst who took advantage of American taxpayers and stole public funds, and let them know that the days of Washington D.C. turning a blind eye to fraud are over.”
