A Minnesota man accused of taking part in a multimillion-dollar COVID-era fraud scheme has become the first fugitive arrested from the FBI’s newly launched “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list, according to federal authorities, as reported [1] by Fox News.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced Wednesday that Said Abdullahi Ereg, a former grocery and deli owner in Minneapolis, surrendered to federal authorities after being publicly identified on the list less than a week earlier.
Ereg, 47, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.
IN CUSTODY: Said Abdullahi Ereg – the FIRST EVER arrest of a “Most Wanted Fraudsters” since the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud released our Most Wanted Fraudsters list last week. Ereg just landed in Minneapolis and was taken into custody after turning himself in. He… pic.twitter.com/Lqs5PG67UU [2]
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 10, 2026 [3]
Federal authorities allege he participated in a scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $4.2 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to investigators, Ereg operated Evergreen Grocery and Deli in south Minneapolis under the sponsorship of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future.
Prosecutors allege the business falsely claimed to provide meals to thousands of children and then sought reimbursement from federal programs designed to help feed children during the pandemic.
Court documents allege that Evergreen Grocery and Deli claimed to have served more than 3,000 meals twice a day, seven days a week. Authorities contend those claims were fraudulent and enabled the business to collect millions of dollars in government funds.
Federal prosecutors further allege that Ereg laundered proceeds from the scheme through foreign accounts and used some of the money to support an extravagant lifestyle.
Patel described the arrest as a milestone in the FBI’s effort to pursue major fraud suspects nationwide.
“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,” Patel said in a statement.
The FBI launched the “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list in partnership with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. The initiative is designed to publicly identify fugitives accused of major fraud schemes and increase pressure on them to surrender or be captured.
Patel said the list was created specifically to target individuals accused of stealing taxpayer dollars through large-scale fraud operations.
“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,” Patel said.
He added that the initiative sends a message that “the days of Washington, D.C., turning a blind eye to fraud are over.”
CASE UPDATE from @FBIMinneapolis [4]: Man Surrenders for Role in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme
Said Abdullahi Ereg was indicted on June 24, 2024, for his role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Ereg… pic.twitter.com/J4MYIS4f8c [5]
— FBI (@FBI) June 10, 2026 [6]
In a separate post on X, Patel indicated that additional arrests could follow.
“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,” Patel said.
Federal officials said Ereg had been wanted on federal charges since 2024. According to the Justice Department, he contacted authorities through his attorney and expressed a willingness to return to the United States one day after the FBI unveiled the new fugitive list.
The case also involves Ereg’s wife, Najmo Ahmed, who worked at the business and reportedly received payroll payments directly from Feeding Our Future.
🚨 JUST IN: Fox News reports Somali “Most Wanted Fraudster” Said Abdullahi Ereg turned himself in and was arrested after he allegedly stole over $4 million from a Federal Child Nutrition Program in Minneapolis during the COVID pandemic from 2020-2021.
Ereg surrendered upon… pic.twitter.com/KCXaOT5L4G [7]
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) June 10, 2026 [8]
Federal officials said Ahmed pleaded guilty last year to money laundering charges and is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.
The arrest comes as the Trump administration continues to expand its anti-fraud efforts.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department established a National Fraud Enforcement Division to support President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, which is led by Vice President JD Vance.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has also highlighted the administration’s focus on fraud investigations as federal agencies pursue cases involving pandemic relief programs and other taxpayer-funded initiatives.
The FBI said the arrest marks the first successful apprehension tied directly to the new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” program, which officials say is intended to help locate and capture individuals accused of large-scale financial crimes across the country.