A South Florida woman accused in a multimillion-dollar pandemic-era fraud scheme has been arrested in Jamaica and flown back to the United States to face federal charges, according to authorities. The capture follows a months-long international manhunt that kicked off after she allegedly skipped a federal court date last year and, officials say, has become a showcase case for the FBI’s new Most Wanted Fraudsters push.
Investigators identified the suspect as Elaine Angene Escoe and say she had been living under the alias “Harley Newman” when Jamaican authorities located her, took her into custody and handed her over to U.S. agents. Escoe is now set to face an indictment that includes conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering related to alleged pandemic relief fraud. FBI Louisville reported the arrest.
What She’s Accused Of
Prosecutors allege that Escoe and multiple co-defendants filed more than 90 bogus pandemic-relief applications, then routed the proceeds through shell companies and large cash withdrawals that together totaled more than $32 million, according to court reporting and the FBI’s wanted notice. A federal arrest warrant for Escoe was issued on May 22, 2025, after she allegedly failed to appear for a scheduled June hearing, and she was later highlighted with a reward offer as part of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters publicity campaign. Local 10 reported details of the accusations and warrant.
How Authorities Tracked Her
Officials say Escoe’s capture was the result of coordinated work by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, Jamaican law enforcement and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. Tips generated by the Most Wanted Fraudsters campaign, combined with more traditional investigative leads, helped narrow her suspected location in Jamaica, where local authorities ultimately arrested her and transferred her to U.S. custody. According to reporting, she has since been transported back to South Florida for processing by federal authorities. Fox News described the interagency operation.
Most Wanted Fraudsters Push
The arrest lands as part of a broader Justice Department and FBI initiative launched in June to spotlight high-priority fraud fugitives and crowdsource tips from the public. On June 4, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list as a key piece of a new Fraud Division strategy that works alongside a White House task force on fraud, with the goal of speeding investigations and tightening coordination among federal and state partners. Department of Justice materials outline the program and its objectives.
What She Faces
Escoe has been indicted in the Southern District of Florida on charges that include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, all tied to alleged abuse of pandemic relief programs. The FBI’s notice and local coverage report that several co-defendants have already pleaded guilty in related cases, and prosecutors are working to claw back what they describe as ill-gotten proceeds. Authorities have not yet released a detailed court schedule, and federal prosecutors in South Florida are expected to handle pretrial proceedings. Local 10 has reported on the charges and court history.
Federal officials emphasize that an indictment is only an allegation and that Escoe, like all defendants, is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The Southern District of Florida will oversee the prosecution while investigators continue trying to trace and recover funds tied to the alleged scheme. Department of Justice guidance underscores that presumption of innocence in such cases.
