Elaine Angene Escoe Captured in Jamaica, Returned to US Over $32M COVID Relief Fraud
Elaine Angene Escoe, a 41‑year‑old Jamaican national listed on the FBI’s “Most Wanted Fraudsters” roster, was apprehended by Jamaican authorities after fleeing the United States. She was flown back to South Florida and will face federal charges in the Southern District of Florida.
The 2025 indictment accuses Escoe of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege she and co‑conspirators submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications that siphoned over $32 million from pandemic‑era relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
During her time in Jamaica she used the alias “Harley Newman.” Her capture resulted from a coordinated operation involving the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Jamaican Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team. FBI Director Kash Patel noted she is the fourth “most‑wanted” fraudster seized in five weeks, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that no one can evade accountability for stealing taxpayer‑funded pandemic aid.
Entities: Elaine Angene Escoe · Federal Bureau of Investigation · Jamaican Constabulary Force · U.S. Department of Justice · U.S. Marshals Service
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 14 SOURCES] The indictment was filed in 2025 in the Southern District of Florida. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
- [● 14 SOURCES] She is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida)
- [● 14 SOURCES] FBI Director Kash Patel said Escoe is the fourth most‑wanted fraudster captured in five weeks. (FBI Director Kash Patel)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The alleged fraud scheme obtained more than $32 million from COVID‑19 relief programs. (Federal prosecutors)
- [● 14 SOURCES] Elaine Angene Escoe was captured in Jamaica and returned to the United States. (FBI and Jamaican authorities)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The capture involved coordinated action by the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, State Department Diplomatic Security Service and Jamaican law‑enforcement agencies. (FBI press releases)
- [● 14 SOURCES] She used the alias “Harley Newman” while in Jamaica. (FBI statements)
- [● 14 SOURCES] Five co‑defendants have already been convicted or pleaded guilty, making Escoe the final defendant pending trial. (FBI and DOJ statements)