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FBI 'Most Wanted' fraud suspect arrested in Jamaica over alleged $32M COVID-19 relief scheme
New York Post • • nation
Key Points:
- Elaine Angene Escoe, one of the FBI’s most wanted COVID-19 fraud fugitives, was captured in Jamaica where she was living under the alias "Harley Newman" and has been returned to the US to face charges related to a $32 million pandemic relief fraud scheme.
- Escoe was indicted in 2025 on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and fled the country after failing to appear in federal court.
- The FBI and partner agencies coordinated her arrest and return, marking the fourth capture of a "Most Wanted Fraudster" in five weeks as part of a broader crackdown on international fraud.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that fraudsters exploiting taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief will be held accountable regardless of how long they evade justice or where they hide.
- FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted that since June, over 30 high-value fraud targets have been returned to the US, with recent captures collectively charged with nearly $1.8 billion in fraud across multiple continents.
