Summary
Said Abdullahi Ereg, who was charged for his alleged role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, has surrendered to federal authorities in Minnesota. Prosecutors allege that Ereg fraudulently obtained more than $4.2 million from a federal child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. He had been living overseas after charges were filed and recently returned to the United States following his inclusion on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters List.
Said Abdullahi Ereg Accused of Obtaining Millions Through False Claims
Federal authorities announced that Said Abdullahi Ereg has surrendered to the FBI in connection with the large-scale Feeding Our Future fraud investigation.
According to court documents, Ereg was indicted on June 24, 2024, on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that he played a role in obtaining, misappropriating, and laundering millions of dollars that were intended to provide meals to children through a federal nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Ereg operated Evergreen Grocery and Deli, a Minneapolis-based business that participated in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future.
The Federal Child Nutrition Program provides funding for meals served to children across the United States. In Minnesota, the program was administered by the Minnesota Department of Education.
According to investigators, Ereg’s business submitted reimbursement claims that falsely reported the number of meals being served. Prosecutors allege that from April 2020 through April 2021, these claims enabled Evergreen Grocery and Deli to receive more than $4.2 million in federal funds.
Court records state that at certain times the business claimed to have served more than 3,000 meals twice each day, seven days a week. Authorities allege these claims were fraudulent and were used to secure federal reimbursement payments.
The case is part of the wider Feeding Our Future investigation, one of the largest fraud investigations involving pandemic-era relief and nutrition funding in Minnesota.
FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters List Followed by Surrender
After charges were filed, federal authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Ereg. However, he was not immediately arrested because he had been living overseas and his exact location was unknown.
On June 4, 2026, the FBI announced its new Most Wanted Fraudsters List and publicly identified Ereg as a fugitive. Authorities said he was among the first individuals included on the list.
According to officials, Ereg communicated through legal counsel the following day and expressed his intention to return to the United States.
He later arrived at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, where he surrendered peacefully to FBI agents.
Daniel N. Rosen, United States Attorney, announced the surrender and confirmed that Ereg is now facing the charges outlined in the federal indictment.
Federal officials noted that the surrender occurred only days after Ereg’s name appeared on the FBI’s newly created list of wanted fraud suspects.
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Multiple Federal Agencies Involved in Investigation
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson stated that Ereg became the first person named on the newly launched FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters List to be taken into custody.
Homeland Security Investigations Minneapolis/St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy also emphasized the importance of pursuing individuals accused of exploiting programs designed to help children and families.
Court documents further note that Ereg’s wife, Najmo Ahmed, worked at Evergreen Grocery and Deli and received payroll payments directly from Feeding Our Future. Ahmed pleaded guilty on February 24, 2025, to one count of money laundering. According to court records, she is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15, 2026, by United States District Court Judge Nancy E. Brasel.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Kline, Matthew Murphy, and Austin Bowyer.
Authorities allege that millions of dollars intended for child nutrition assistance were fraudulently claimed through false meal reimbursement requests submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The charges against Said Abdullahi Ereg remain pending in federal court.