U.S. authorities have captured Elaine Angene Escoe, an alleged fugitive accused of defrauding COVID-19 relief programs of more than $32 million, and returned her to South Florida from Jamaica. Escoe, 41, was living under the alias "Harley Newman" before her arrest.
Jamaican authorities apprehended Escoe following a federal manhunt, according to the FBI. She arrived back in the United States on Thursday. Prosecutors allege Escoe participated in a scheme that fraudulently obtained taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief funds before fleeing the country after failing to appear in federal court.
An arrest warrant was issued for Escoe in May 2025 after she missed a court appearance. Authorities allege she subsequently fled to Jamaica, where the FBI located and arrested her after receiving a tip. "Elaine Angene Escoe's arrest and return to the United States demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of American justice," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated. Blanche added that the Justice Department is committed to prosecuting individuals who allegedly steal from the American public.
Escoe faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of money laundering, as outlined by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. The FBI noted that Escoe's capture is part of a broader international crackdown on fraud.
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted Escoe's apprehension as the fourth "Most Wanted Fraudster" captured by the FBI and its partners in the past five weeks. "The historic success of the 'Most Wanted Fraudster' list continues as the FBI and our partners just captured our fourth Most Wanted Fraudster in 5 weeks, and yet another high value target returned to the U.S. by this FBI," Patel said. He indicated that Escoe had been on the run since May 2025. Patel also noted that over the past five weeks, four alleged fraud suspects have been captured, who are collectively charged with nearly $1.8 billion in fraud and had spent more than 3,500 days evading capture across three continents. The FBI has reportedly returned more than 30 high-value targets to the U.S. since June.
The coordinated effort for Escoe's return involved the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, Jamaican law enforcement, and the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office. "Under this administration, fraud is no longer tolerated — and those who steal from American taxpayers have nowhere to hide," Patel stated.