Said Abdullah Ereg in an undated booking photo from FBI

One of the FBI’s most wanted fraud suspects in the massive Feeding Our Future scandal has finally returned to face justice.

On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that Said Abdullahi Ereg peacefully surrendered to federal agents at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after spending nearly two years overseas while facing charges in what has become one of the largest COVID-era fraud schemes in American history.

Ereg, who owned and operated Evergreen Grocery and Deli in south Minneapolis, was indicted on June 24, 2024, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.

He exploited the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic — a program meant to feed children in need — and allegedly obtained, misappropriated, and laundered more than $4.2 million in taxpayer funds through his business, which operated under the sponsorship of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future.

More from the DOJ:

According to court documents, Ereg owned and operated Evergreen Grocery and Deli, a for-profit business that participated in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. From approximately April 2020 to April 2021, Ereg is alleged to have defrauded the program by submitting false reimbursement claims, for which he received more than $4.2 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds.

At times, Evergreen Grocery and Deli claimed to have served more than 3,000 meals, twice a day, seven days a week. Ereg’s wife, Najmo Ahmed, also worked at the business and received payroll payments directly from Feeding Our Future. Ahmed pleaded guilty on February 24, 2025, to one count of money laundering. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15, 2026, by United States District Court Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

A federal arrest warrant was issued after he was charged, but authorities could not locate him overseas, until now.

This is the first arrest from the FBI’s brand-new Most Wanted Fraudsters List, launched just six days earlier on June 4, 2026, as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance.

Ereg communicated through counsel that he wanted to return from Kenya. He surrendered to FBI agents the same day the announcement was made.

.@FBIMinneapolis Special Agent in Charge Chris Dotson spoke at a press conference June 10, 2026, in Minneapolis announcing the arrest of Said Abdullahi Ereg, who was added six days earlier to the newly created Most Wanted Fraudsters list. @WHFraudTF pic.twitter.com/xZC8lxdXlN

— FBI (@FBI) June 10, 2026

“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. 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,” said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson.

“We are proud to have assisted the Department of Justice in today’s surrender of a suspect accused of betraying the public’s trust and committing crimes against our community’s most vulnerable,” said HSI Minneapolis/St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy. “This case sends a clear message: being outside the United States does not place you beyond the reach of HSI and our law enforcement partners. Our commitment is unwavering: those who exploit programs intended to support children and families will be identified, investigated, and brought to justice here in Minnesota.”

What do you think? Should Ilhan Omar, Tim Walz, and Keith Ellison finally face real accountability for the role their negligence and political connections played in enabling this massive theft?

Jim Hᴏft Jim Hᴏft is the founder and editor of The Gateway Pundit, one of the top conservative news outlets in America. Jim was awarded the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award in 2013 and is the proud recipient of the Breitbart Award for Excellence in Online Journalism from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in May 2016.

You can email Jim Hᴏft here, and read more of Jim Hᴏft's articles here.

Ad block users: Some site features may not work correctly while an ad blocker is enabled, because they break scripts and content this website depends on. If you can't see comments below, for example, please disable your ad blocker.