FBI arrests $32M COVID relief fraudster in Jamaica

A fugitive featured on the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters list has been returned to the United States to face federal charges for her alleged role in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud COVID-19 pandemic relief programs. Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, arrived in South Florida on July, 23, 2026, following her arrest in Jamaica by local authorities acting on a tip from the FBI.

Federal prosecutors allege that Escoe helped orchestrate a conspiracy that fraudulently obtained more than $32 million from taxpayer-funded programs designed to support businesses and workers during the pandemic. The charges against her include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of money laundering.

According to court documents, the scheme operated from May 2020 through November 2021. Escoe and five co-conspirators allegedly submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications for funds from the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. The applications contained false information about employee counts, payroll expenses, and business revenues....