Minnesota man Said Abdullahi Ereg marks first FBI arrest on DOJ’s ‘Most Wanted Fraudsters’ list
FBI Director Kash Patel announced Wednesday that Said Abdullahi Ereg, a former Minneapolis grocery and deli owner, has turned himself in to federal authorities, putting him first on the FBI’s new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list to be arrested as authorities continue to crack down on fraud nationwide.
Sid Abdullahi Ereg, 47, is facing charges including conspiracy to defraud, fraud and money laundering.
The FBI said Ereg, a former south Minneapolis grocer and convenience store owner, turned himself in to federal authorities less than a week after the Justice Department launched its “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list, which aims to publicly identify people charged with major fraud.
“Today’s arrest is historic – the first arrest of a subject on our Most Wanted Fraudsters list released last week by the White House Anti-Fraud Task Force,” Patel said in a statement.
Authorities said Ereg was wanted on federal charges dating back to 2024 and fraudulently received more than $4.2 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 crisis.
According to federal officials, Ereg operated Evergreen Grocery and Deli, a Minneapolis grocery and deli under the auspices of the nonprofit organization Feeding Our Future.
Prosecutors say she lied about feeding needy children, fraudulently obtained government reimbursements and withdrew money from foreign accounts while using some of the money to fund a lavish lifestyle.
Court documents allege Evergreen Grocery and Deli said they served more than 3,000 meals twice a day, seven days a week.
“Led by Vice President Vance and the White House Anti-Fraud Task Force, we have established a historic, first-ever ‘Most Wanted Fraudsters’ list for this very purpose – to bring to justice the worst suspects who exploit the American taxpayer and steal public funds,” Patel said.
He added that the list is a warning that “the days of Washington, DC, turning a blind eye to fraud are over.”
In a letter to X, Patel suggested the arrests were just the beginning of a broader enforcement effort.
“This historic result is just 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 contacted authorities through his lawyer and expressed his willingness to return to the United States one day after the FBI launched a “Most Wanted Fraudster” list.
The Department of Justice also noted that Ereg’s wife, Najmo Ahmed, who worked in the business and received payments directly from Feeding Our Future, pleaded guilty to money laundering charges last year and is expected to be sentenced later this month.
The arrest comes months after the Justice Department announced the creation of a National Fraud Enforcement Division to support President Donald Trump’s Anti-Fraud Task Force, led by Vice President JD Vance.
Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace and Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
