FBI Returns COVID-19 Fraud Fugitive
Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, accused of participating in a $32 million COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud, has been returned to the United States. Jamaican authorities apprehended Escoe following a federal manhunt, as she was living under a false identity, “Harley Newman.” FBI Director Kash Patel informed Fox News Digital of her capture after Escoe evaded charges in the U.S.
Escoe arrived in South Florida after Jamaican authorities detained her. Prosecutors claim she fraudulently acquired over $32 million in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief before fleeing. In May 2025, she failed to appear in federal court, leading to her indictment on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Ongoing Crackdown on Fraudsters
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted Escoe’s return as part of the agency’s international crackdown on fraud. Escoe’s arrest marks the fourth capture from the FBI’s “Most Wanted Fraudster” list in recent weeks. Patel stated that Escoe had been living under a false identity in Jamaica since May 2025.
Patel revealed that the FBI has successfully returned over 30 high-value targets since June. Over the past five weeks, four suspects from the “Most Wanted Fraudster” list have been captured, collectively charged with nearly $1.8 billion in fraud, spending more than 3,500 days hiding across three continents.
“Under this administration, fraud is no longer tolerated — and those who steal from American taxpayers have nowhere to hide,” Patel declared.
The coordination between the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, Jamaican law enforcement, and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office was crucial in Escoe’s return.
Brittany Miller, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, graduated from Syracuse University in 2023.