DOJ's 1st 'Most Wanted Fraudster' arrested by the FBI
The Justice Department's first "Most Wanted Fraudster" surrendered to authorities on Wednesday in Minneapolis, according to the FBI.
Said Abdullahi Ereg allegedly stole $4 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic and was arrested by the FBI in Minneapolis, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
According to the Justice Department, Ereg said he served meals to children in need, but instead allegedly used government funds to fund a "lavish lifestyle," according to the Justice Department.
Ereg allegedly ran a grocery store and deli in Minneapolis and was enrolled in the program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future, a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization which was supposed to provide meals to in-need children, according to the Justice Department.
Officials said the grocery and deli claimed to have served over 1.4 million meals, receiving $4.2 million in payments.
He was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in 2024.
Ereg was added to the "Most Wanted Fraudster" list six days ago.
“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.
Last week, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and other federal leaders, including Patel and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, were in Ohio to announce charges against alleged fraudsters there and to announce a the fraudsters list.
