The FBI has made a serious arrest tied to the large taxpayer-funded COVID-19 fraud that has proliferated all through America.
As Fox Information reported, Jamaican authorities captured 41-year-old Elaine Angene Escoe after catching her dwelling beneath a faux title “Harley Newman.” Escoe had been avoiding costs tied to a $32 million pandemic reduction fraud scheme.
Escoe returned to South Florida on Thursday after being arrested within the manhunt.
Extra from Fox Information on the case, which started 2025:
Prosecutors allege she helped fraudulently acquire greater than $32 million in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 reduction funds earlier than fleeing the nation after failing to seem in federal courtroom.
Escoe was indicted in 2025 on costs together with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit cash laundering, and a number of counts of cash laundering, based on the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Southern District of Florida.
Federal prosecutors stated a choose issued an arrest warrant after Escoe failed to seem in courtroom in Might 2025. Authorities allege she fled to Jamaica, the place she was later positioned and arrested after the FBI obtained a tip.
Escoe is the fourth “Most Needed Fraudster” captured up to now 5 weeks as a part of the FBI’s worldwide fraud crackdown.
FBI Director Kash Patel launched the next statement following Escoe’s arrest:
The historic success of the ‘Most Needed Fraudster’ checklist continues because the FBI and our companions simply captured our fourth Most Needed Fraudster in 5 weeks, and one more high-value goal returned to the U.S. by the FBI.
Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since Might 2025, was captured in Jamaica whereas dwelling beneath a faux identification of ‘Harley Newman’ — and returned to the USA right this moment to face justice.
Beneath this administration, fraud is now not tolerated — and those that steal from American taxpayers have nowhere to cover.
Patel additionally confirmed that Escoe has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and cash laundering.
Fox Information revealed that the FBI, Homeland Safety Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, Jamaican regulation enforcement, and the Palm Seashore County State Legal professional’s Workplace all joined in coordinating Escoe’s return to the U.S.
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