Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, has been arrested in Jamaica and returned to the United States to face federal charges over an alleged $32 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. The case matters because it forms part of a wider FBI effort to pursue suspects accused of misusing taxpayer-funded pandemic programmes internationally; Escoe has not been convicted.

Prosecutors allege Escoe helped obtain more than $32 million fraudulently, then fled after failing to appear in court in May 2025. She was indicted on wire-fraud and money-laundering-related charges, and the FBI says she lived in Jamaica under the name “Harley Newman” before a tip led to her arrest. The FBI said she was its fourth “Most Wanted Fraudster” suspect captured within five weeks.