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. He added that, “Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May of 2025, was captured in Jamaica while living under a fake identity of ‘Ha…
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