A girl listed among the many FBI’s most wished alleged COVID-19 fraud fugitives is again on U.S. soil after being caught in Jamaica, the place FBI Director Kash Patel informed Fox Information Digital she had allegedly been hiding behind the alias “Harley Newman” whereas avoiding prosecution in a $32 million pandemic reduction fraud case.
Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, was returned to South Florida on Thursday following her arrest by Jamaican authorities after a federal search. Prosecutors say Escoe performed a job in illegally securing greater than $32 million in taxpayer-backed COVID-19 reduction cash, then left america after failing to point out up for a required federal court docket look.
In response to the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace for the Southern District of Florida, Escoe was indicted in 2025 on a number of federal prices, together with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit cash laundering and a number of cash laundering counts.
Federal officers stated an arrest warrant was issued after Escoe missed court docket in Might 2025. Investigators imagine she then fled to Jamaica, the place authorities ultimately tracked her down and arrested her after the FBI obtained a tip about her whereabouts.
“This Most Wished Fraudster allegedly obtained tens of hundreds of thousands in COVID-19 reduction, stealing crucial sources from authentic companies throughout a nationwide disaster,” Performing Lawyer Basic Todd Blanche informed Fox Information Digital.
“She fled the nation believing she may escape justice however in the end couldn’t,” Blanche added. “Those that exploit taxpayer-funded packages shall be held accountable by this Division of Justice, irrespective of how lengthy it takes or the place they try to cover.”
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Patel described Escoe’s seize as one other vital win within the FBI’s widening worldwide effort to pursue main fraud suspects, noting that she is the fourth alleged “Most Wished Fraudster” taken into custody within the final 5 weeks.
“The historic success of the ‘Most Wished Fraudster’ record continues because the FBI and our companions simply captured our fourth Most Wished Fraudster in 5 weeks, and one more excessive worth goal returned to the US by this FBI,” Patel stated. “Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since Might 2025, was captured in Jamaica whereas residing below a faux id of ‘Harley Newman’ — and returned to america right now to face justice.”
Patel stated Escoe is charged with being concerned in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and cash laundering related to a scheme that fraudulently obtained greater than $32 million in federal COVID-19 reduction funds.
He added that the FBI has returned greater than 30 high-value targets to the U.S. since June. Patel stated 4 alleged fraud suspects captured over the previous 5 weeks are collectively charged with almost $1.8 billion in fraud after spending greater than 3,500 days on the run throughout three continents.
“Underneath this administration, fraud is now not tolerated — and people who steal from American taxpayers have nowhere to cover,” Patel stated.
Authorities stated the FBI, Homeland Safety Investigations, the US Marshals Service, Jamaican regulation enforcement and the Palm Seaside County State Lawyer’s Workplace coordinated Escoe’s return to the US.
