FBI Unveils ‘Most Wanted Fraudsters’ List Amidst Nationwide Crackdown

The FBI released its first-ever ‘Most Wanted Fraudsters’ list as part of a nationwide effort to combat fraud. FBI Director Kash Patel announced that Said Abdullahi Ereg, a former Minneapolis grocery and deli owner, surrendered to federal authorities. Ereg is the first person on this new list to be taken into custody.

Ereg, 47, faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. His arrest comes shortly after the Justice Department revealed the ‘Most Wanted Fraudsters’ list, aimed at publicly identifying individuals involved in significant fraud cases.

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.

Accused of defrauding a federal child nutrition program of over $4 million during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ereg reportedly operated Evergreen Grocery and Deli in Minneapolis. Under the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, he allegedly falsely claimed to provide meals for needy children and laundered the government reimbursements through international accounts.

The Justice Department claims Ereg fraudulently obtained more than $4.2 million. Court documents indicate his business claimed to serve more than 3,000 meals twice daily, every day of the week.

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 — to bring to justice the alleged worst of the worst who took advantage of American taxpayers and stole public funds.

The FBI’s list seeks to aid law enforcement in apprehending individuals involved in extensive fraud schemes. Patel emphasized that Washington will no longer ignore fraud and stated in a recent post on X that the current enforcement actions are just the beginning.

This historic result is only the beginning — and let it be a message to any fraudster who takes advantage of America, this team will find you.

Federal officials reported Ereg contacted them through his attorney and expressed willingness to return to the U.S. one day after the list’s release. Ereg’s wife, Najmo Ahmed, also linked to the scheme, pled guilty to money laundering charges and is awaiting sentencing.

The arrest corresponds with the establishment of a National Fraud Enforcement Division, supporting President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, led by Vice President J.D. Vance.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche remarked during a press conference on the administration’s fraud elimination initiatives, alongside state and federal officials, underlining the ongoing commitment to reduce crime nationwide.