FBI Arrests ‘Most Wanted Fraudster’ Who Allegedly Stole Funds Meant For Feeding Children

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FBI Arrests ‘Most Wanted Fraudster’ Who Allegedly Stole Funds Meant For Feeding Children

The FBI’s first Most Wanted Fraudster, allegedly involved in the COVID-era Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, peacefully turned himself in to law enforcement Wednesday.

Said Abdullahi Ereg operated a store in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that was enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program (FCNP) via a Feeding Our Future sponsorship and allegedly caught up in a fraud scheme, according to court documents cited in a Justice Department (DOJ) press release. The FBI placed a $150,000 reward for information prompting the capture and conviction of Ereg, who they listed as having been born in Somalia. This comes less than two months after a jury convicted two people for participating in a $250 million fraud scheme targeting FCNP funds in connection with Feeding Our Future.

A grand jury indicted Ereg in June 2024 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel Rosen said Wednesday. He was allegedly “involved in obtaining, misappropriating, and laundering millions of dollars in program funds that were meant to feed children in need.”

The Evergreen Grocery and Deli, owned by Ereg, provided “more than 3,000 meals, twice a day, seven days a week,” the court documents alleged. The man allegedly defrauded the Federal Child Nutrition Program by sending in false reimbursement claims and obtaining over $4.2 million in federal money between April 2020 and April 2021.

Ereg’s spouse, Najmo Ahmed, also obtained payments from Feeding Our Future and pleaded guilty in February 2025 to one count of money laundering, court documents read. (RELATED: Woman At Center Of Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future Fraud Scandal Sentenced To 41.5 Years In Prison)

The FBI started the Most Wanted Fraudsters List on June 4, 2026, naming Ereg as a Most Wanted Fraudster, according to the press release. Ereg communicated via legal counsel that he wanted to come back to the U.S. the following day and surrendered to FBI agents at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

“Today’s apprehension of Said Abdullahi Ereg, a fugitive on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters List, highlights the collective commitment of the DOJ, FBI, IRS, and USPIS, along with our USAO to bring every alleged fraudster to justice,” FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dotson said. “Ereg was one of eight fugitives added to the FBI’s newly announced fraud list just six days ago and is the first to be taken into custody to face charges for his alleged actions.”

Ereg’s surrender comes around three weeks after Aimee Bock, the Feeding Our Future’s former executive director, received a sentence of over 41 years in prison.