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The Federal Bureau of Investigation has officially launched a new 'Most Wanted' list specifically targeting fugitives involved in major fraud schemes, marking a strategic expansion of its long-standing pursuit of dangerous criminals. This initiative, which builds on the success of the original Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list launched 76 years ago, aims to capture individuals responsible for significant financial crimes against the government and private citizens. The FBI reports that the previous list achieved a nearly 93% success rate, with over 500 fugitives captured or located since its inception. The new Fraudsters List focuses on cases involving billions in alleged Medicare fraud, millions in stolen COVID relief funds, and other substantial financial deceptions. Michael Goldberg, Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the FBI's Chicago field office, described the list as a curated selection of the agency's most significant fraud cases. He emphasized that the publicity surrounding the list often compels fugitives to turn themselves in, noting that four individuals were captured or surrendered within weeks of the list's launch in June. The list currently features 11 fugitives, including Manjit Singh Bedi, accused of defrauding the SNAP benefit program of at least $600,000, and Emylee Thai, a Texas lab owner alleged to have defrauded Medicare of nearly $100 million. Other names include a married couple from Hawaii wanted for mortgage fraud since 2010 and Michael Lizaso Marasigan, who fled after stealing $34 million from bingo fundraisers. The FBI is actively seeking public assistance to identify and locate these individuals. Citizens are encouraged to nominate potential candidates for the open spot on the list or report tips regarding known fraudsters. The agency views this effort as a partnership with the community, relying on information from field offices nationwide and the public to aid in apprehensions. Individuals with information are urged to contact the FBI through the dedicated tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or by visiting tips.fbi.gov. This announcement highlights the ongoing efforts to recover stolen funds and bring justice to victims of large-scale financial fraud.
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