MIAMI – A Jamaican woman who was listed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) most wanted fraudster list for her alleged role in a scheme that fraudulently obtained more than US$32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds returned from Jamaica on Saturday to the United States to face federal charges.

Forty-one-year-old Elaine Escoe, was charged by indictment in 2025 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple substantive counts of wire fraud and money laundering.

After a federal arrest warrant was issued in May 2025, Escoe reportedly failed to appear for her court appearance and fled to Jamaica.

Acting on information developed by the FBI, local authorities captured Escoe after receiving a tip.

She was returned to South Florida on Saturday through the coordinated efforts of the FBI, the US Marshals Service, the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and the JCF Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team.

“This most wanted fraudster allegedly obtained tens of millions in COVID-19 relief, stealing critical resources from legitimate businesses during a national crisis,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “She fled the country believing she could escape justice but ultimately could not. Those who exploit taxpayer-funded programs will be held accountable by this Department of Justice, no matter how long it takes or where they attempt to hide.”

“Elaine Angene Escoe’s arrest and return to the United States demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of American justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. “This most wanted fraudster faces charges stemming from a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief programs. The fraud division will continue to vigorously prosecute those who steal from the American people,” he added.

For his part, FBI Director Kash Patel said, “The historic success of the ‘Most Wanted Fraudster’ list continues as the FBI and our partners just captured our fourth most wanted fraudster in five weeks, and yet another high value target returned to the U.S. by this FBI”.

He added that, “Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May of 2025, was captured in Jamaica while living under a fake identity of ‘Harley Newman’ – and returned to the United States today to face justice. She is charged for her alleged involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering – connected with a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. Escoe brings the number of high value targets returned by the FBI to over 30 just since June.”

According to court records, Escoe and her co-conspirators submitted or caused the submission of fraudulent applications seeking more than $32 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds. The applications falsely represented the existence, payroll, revenue, and operations of purported businesses to qualify for and maximize federal relief funding.

To support the fraudulent applications, the conspirators reportedly created fake tax documents, fabricated bank records, and other false financial records that lenders and program administrators relied upon in approving loans and grants.

Some applications were reportedly submitted on behalf of businesses controlled by the conspirators, while others were submitted for third parties in exchange for substantial kickbacks — sometimes as much as 50 per cent of the loan proceeds. The fraud proceeds were subsequently laundered among the conspirators.

Escoe is the last remaining defendant charged in the scheme. Following a December 2025 trial, Alfred Davis, Cher Davis, and Latoya Clark were convicted by a federal jury. James McGhow and Gino Jourdan previously pleaded guilty. Alfred Davis was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment, Cher Davis to 87 months, Clark to 70 months, Jourdan to 46 months, and McGhow to 42 months.

READ: FBI lists Jamaican woman as ‘Most Wanted’, posts US$150,000 reward