A high-profile fugitive accused of COVID-19 relief fraud, once listed among the FBI’s most wanted, has been extradited to the United States after authorities apprehended her in Jamaica. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the suspect, known as Elaine Angene Escoe, had been living under the alias “Harley Newman” while evading serious allegations linked to a $32 million pandemic relief fraud scheme.
Elaine Angene Escoe, aged 41, was brought back to South Florida on Thursday following her capture by Jamaican authorities amid an extensive federal manhunt. Prosecutors claim she was involved in fraudulently acquiring over $32 million intended for COVID-19 relief, fleeing the United States after missing a scheduled court appearance.
In 2025, Escoe faced a federal indictment with multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, as well as several counts of money laundering. These charges were levied by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, cementing her status as a high-priority target for law enforcement.
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Escoe’s alleged involvement in schemes to defraud federal COVID-19 relief initiatives has been highlighted, particularly her purported role in a $32 million fraud. Her capture and extradition mark a significant development in ongoing efforts to bring those responsible for exploiting pandemic funds to justice. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Federal prosecutors said a judge issued an arrest warrant after Escoe failed to appear in court in May 2025. Authorities allege she fled to Jamaica, where she was later located and arrested after the FBI received a tip.
“Elaine Angene Escoe’s arrest and return to the United States demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of American justice,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
Blanche said Escoe is accused of participating in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief programs and said the Justice Department will continue prosecuting those who steal from the American people.
FBI NABS ALLEGED $547M MEDICARE FRAUD FUGITIVE OVERSEAS, THIRD CAPTURE FROM ‘MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS’ LIST
A more recent FBI-provided image of Elaine Angene Escoe, who authorities say was arrested in Jamaica after allegedly fleeing the United States while facing federal fraud charges. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Patel called Escoe’s arrest another milestone in the FBI’s international fraud crackdown, saying she is the fourth alleged “Most Wanted Fraudster” captured in the past five weeks.
“The historic success of the ‘Most Wanted Fraudster’ list continues as the FBI and our partners just captured our fourth Most Wanted Fraudster in 5 weeks, and yet another high value target returned to the U.S. by this FBI,” Patel said. “Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May 2025, was captured in Jamaica while living under a fake identity of ‘Harley Newman’ — and returned to the United States today to face justice.”
Patel said Escoe is charged with being involved in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering connected to a scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.
He added that the FBI has returned more than 30 high-value targets to the U.S. since June. Patel said four alleged fraud suspects captured over the past five weeks are collectively charged with nearly $1.8 billion in fraud after spending more than 3,500 days on the run across three continents.
FILE – FBI Director Kash Patel said Escoe’s arrest marks the fourth alleged “Most Wanted Fraudster” captured in the past five weeks. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
“Under this administration, fraud is no longer tolerated — and those who steal from American taxpayers have nowhere to hide,” Patel said.
Authorities said the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, Jamaican law enforcement and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office coordinated Escoe’s return to the U.S.