FBI's New 'Most Wanted Fraudster' Flies Back To Minneapolis And Gives Up

A Minneapolis man newly added to the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters list is now in federal custody after surrendering on Wednesday, officials said. His turn‑in comes just days after the bureau rolled out the new list to spotlight alleged pandemic‑era and program‑related thieves tied to cases like the sprawling Feeding Our Future fraud probe.

The FBI Director Kash Patel posted an update on X, calling the capture the first arrest of a “Most Wanted Fraudsters.” The FBI  announced the development, and prosecutors say Ereg flew from Kenya via London and turned himself in at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, according to CBS Minnesota.

Allegations and Federal Charges

Federal prosecutors say Ereg and his wife ran Evergreen Grocery & Deli in south Minneapolis and enrolled it as a Feeding Our Future meal site, submitting falsified meal counts and collecting more than $4.2 million in reimbursements they allegedly diverted for personal use, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The charging documents allege transfers to foreign accounts and purchases of luxury goods with program funds.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Ereg on January 24, 2024, charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering, and the FBI's Most Wanted entry lists a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. The FBI Most Wanted site also directs the public to submit tips online or to the toll‑free tipline.

Why the Most Wanted List Matters

The FBI launched the Most Wanted Fraudsters program in early June as part of a Justice Department effort to spotlight pandemic‑era and health‑care fraud and to enlist public tips in locating fugitives. A Justice Department release said the publicity tool is intended to speed captures and support broader federal‑state fraud investigations.

Legal Process and Next Steps

Ereg is now in federal custody and will be processed through the U.S. District Court in Minnesota; prosecutors have previously emphasized that indictments are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the U.S. Attorney's Office notes. Authorities ask anyone with information to contact the FBI tipline at 1‑800‑CALL‑FBI or submit tips online per the FBI Most Wanted site.

The arrest is the first public capture tied to the new Most Wanted Fraudsters list and represents a visible early win for federal investigators, though the broader Feeding Our Future probe has already produced dozens of charges across the Twin Cities, as CBS Minnesota reported. Local officials did not immediately release further comment, and prosecutors and the FBI declined to provide new details beyond earlier statements.