JUST IN: FBI Arrests Another “Most Wanted Fraudster” From Overseas

The FBI has just arrested yet another fraudster who tried to flee from justice.

Elaine Angene Escoe ran away to Jamaica in May 2025 after being charged for her involvement in a COVID-19 fraud scheme.

Now, she is back in the United States, where she will be held accountable for her crimes.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced:

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.

Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May of 2025, was… pic.twitter.com/c6pgYlFoKS

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) July 25, 2026

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.

Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May of 2025, was captured in Jamaica while living under a fake identity of “Harley Newman” – and returned to the United States today to face justice.

She is charged for her alleged involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering – connected with a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. Escoe brings the number of high value targets returned by the FBI to over 30 just since June.

Led by President Trump, Vice President Vance, and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud – this FBI and our partners continue to see an unprecedented level of success taking down the worst of the worst alleged fraudsters.

In just 5 weeks, we have captured four subjects charged with a combined nearly 1.8 billion in fraud, collectively on the run for over 3,500 days, each hiding overseas – now returned and all in custody in 1.5 months.

Under this administration, fraud is no longer tolerated – and those who steal from American taxpayers have nowhere to hide.

Benny Johnson shared Escoe’s mugshot:

🚨CAPTURED: Most Wanted Fraudster ARRESTED After Fleeing To Jamaica

Elaine Angene Escoe is being charged with money laundering and wire fraud for her involvement in a $32 million in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. pic.twitter.com/c9SoOuTjrL

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 25, 2026

FBI Miami shared photos of her arrest:

FBI MIAMI CASE UPDATE: FBI Special Agents return with Most Wanted Fraudster Elaine Angene Escoe from Jamaica. This is another example, in a series of examples, of the FBI’s resolve to bring financial fraudsters to justice. Elaine Angene Escoe was wanted for her alleged… pic.twitter.com/by2a9sYAKz

— FBI Miami (@FBIMiamiFL) July 25, 2026

FBI MIAMI CASE UPDATE: FBI Special Agents return with Most Wanted Fraudster Elaine Angene Escoe from Jamaica. This is another example, in a series of examples, of the FBI’s resolve to bring financial fraudsters to justice. Elaine Angene Escoe was wanted for her alleged involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Escoe on May 22, 2025, in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Escoe failed to appear to her court appearance on June 5, 2025. The FBI had information indicating that Escoe had fled to Jamaica and she was captured by authorities in Jamaica after they received a tip. This investigation and the eventual capture of Escoe was done in partnership with HSI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Florida, the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, US Diplomatic Security Services Regional Security Office at US Embassy Kingston , Jamaican Constabulary Force and Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team.

As Kash Patel noted in his announcement, this marks a total of four FBI “Most Wanted Fraudsters” arrested since the list was created in June!

Just a few days ago, the FBI brought another fraudster, Khalid Ahmed Satary, back from overseas.

We brought you the full scoop on that here:

JUST IN: FBI ARRESTS “Most Wanted Fraudster” Who Organized $574M Medicare Scheme

Elaine Escoe is the final co-conspirator to be arrested as part of a $32 million COVID-19 relief scheme.

All of the other individuals involved in this conspiracy to de-fraud taxpayers are currently serving time in prison — where Elaine will likely join them soon.

A DOJ press release has more details:

Elaine Escoe, 41, was charged by indictment in 2025 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple substantive counts of wire fraud and money laundering. After a federal arrest warrant was issued in May 2025, Escoe failed to appear for her court appearance and fled to Jamaica. Acting on information developed by the FBI, Jamaican authorities captured Escoe after receiving a tip. She was returned to South Florida today through the coordinated efforts of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF), and the JCF Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team…

According to court records, Escoe and her co-conspirators submitted or caused the submission of fraudulent applications seeking more than $32 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds. The applications falsely represented the existence, payroll, revenue, and operations of purported businesses to qualify for and maximize federal relief funding.

To support the fraudulent applications, the conspirators created fake tax documents, fabricated bank records, and other false financial records that lenders and program administrators relied upon in approving loans and grants. Some applications were submitted on behalf of businesses controlled by the conspirators, while others were submitted for third parties in exchange for substantial kickbacks — sometimes as much as 50% of the loan proceeds. The fraud proceeds were subsequently laundered among the conspirators.

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Escoe is the last remaining defendant charged in the scheme. Following a December 2025 trial, Alfred Davis, Cher Davis, and Latoya Clark were convicted by a federal jury. James McGhow and Gino Jourdan previously pleaded guilty. Alfred Davis was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment, Cher Davis to 87 months, Clark to 70 months, Jourdan to 46 months, and McGhow to 42 months.

FBI Miami’s West Palm Beach Resident Agency is investigating the case, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office.

On June 4, the FBI announced the creation of the Most Wanted Fraudsters List. The list included Herb Kimble, a fugitive in a $1.2 billion telemedicine and durable medical equipment scheme, who, on June 8 — just four days later — was apprehended in the Philippines and was soon after charged as part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. On June 8, Escoe was added to the Most Wanted Fraudsters List, and she was apprehended less than two months later.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.