A woman accused of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar scheme to fraudulently obtain more than US$32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds has been returned to South Florida after being captured in Jamaica on Saturday, 25 July, while listed among the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters.

Elaine Escoe, 41, was brought back to South Florida after authorities said she fled the United States following her indictment in 2025 on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors allege Escoe was involved in a wide-ranging effort to exploit pandemic-era relief programmes designed to support businesses and workers during the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. The alleged scheme targeted the Paycheck Protection Program, Restaurant Revitalisation Fund, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and Economic Injury Disaster Loan programmes, according to court records.

Authorities said Escoe and her co-conspirators submitted fraudulent applications seeking more than $32 million in relief funding. The applications allegedly contained false information about businesses’ existence, payroll figures, revenues and operations in order to secure larger payments.

Investigators also allege the group created fabricated tax documents, false bank records and other financial paperwork that lenders and programme administrators relied upon when approving loans and grants. Some applications were allegedly submitted for businesses controlled by the conspirators, while others involved third parties who paid kickbacks of up to 50% of the proceeds.

After a federal arrest warrant was issued in May 2025, Escoe failed to appear for court proceedings and left the United States, eventually travelling to Jamaica. The FBI said she was later located and captured by Jamaican authorities after investigators received information about her whereabouts. Officials said she had been living under the assumed identity of “Harley Newman”.

Her return was carried out through a joint effort involving the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, the Jamaican Constabulary Force and its Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team.

Colin M. McDonald, assistant attorney general of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, said Escoe’s case highlighted the government’s continued focus on prosecuting individuals accused of stealing from federally funded programmes.

“Elaine Angene Escoe’s arrest and return to the United States demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of American justice,” McDonald said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Escoe’s capture marked another success for the agency’s efforts to locate alleged fraudsters who fled overseas.

“Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May of 2025, was captured in Jamaica while living under a fake identity,” Patel said, adding that the FBI had returned more than 30 high-value fugitives to the United States since June.

Escoe is the final defendant charged in connection with the alleged fraud scheme. Several co-defendants have already faced trial or pleaded guilty.

Following a federal jury trial in December 2025, Alfred Davis, Cher Davis and Latoya Clark were convicted. James McGhow and Gino Jourdan previously pleaded guilty. Sentences imposed included 235 months in prison for Alfred Davis, 87 months for Cher Davis, 70 months for Clark, 46 months for Jourdan and 42 months for McGhow.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Miami division through its West Palm Beach Resident Agency, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations Miami and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office.

Escoe remains entitled to the presumption of innocence, and the charges against her must be proven in court.