💛 A quick favor, if you've got a second.
We're really happy that you chose to read one of our stories and sincerely hope you'll stick around to read more. We took our paywall down — for now — but that won't last forever, and when the gate goes back up, we'd love for you to already be on the inside.
It's free. So please enter your email here and don't forget to like and follow us on all of your favorite Social Media platforms!
A woman wanted for her alleged role in a massive pandemic relief fraud scheme has been arrested in Jamaica and returned to the United States, the FBI announced. Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, was living under the assumed name “Harley Newman” when Jamaican authorities took her into custody following an international manhunt, FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed to Fox News Digital.
Escoe arrived in South Florida on Thursday after Jamaican law enforcement apprehended her at the direction of federal authorities. Prosecutors contend she participated in a conspiracy that illegally obtained more than $32 million in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief funds before fleeing the country.
A federal judge issued an arrest warrant against Escoe in May 2025 after she failed to appear in court, court records show. She subsequently traveled to Jamaica, where the FBI located her following a tip and coordinated her arrest with local authorities.
Escoe faces multiple charges including wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and several money laundering counts, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the capture underscores the reach of American law enforcement. “Elaine Angene Escoe’s arrest and return to the United States demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of American justice,” Blanche stated, vowing continued prosecution of those who misappropriate federal funds.
Patel characterized the apprehension as the fourth successful capture from the FBI’s “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list in five weeks. He noted that four suspects seized during that period face combined charges totaling nearly $1.8 billion in fraud and had evaded capture across three continents for more than 3,500 days collectively.
The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, Jamaican law enforcement, and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office coordinated the operation to return Escoe to U.S. custody.
More Stories
Knicks Star Karl-Anthony Towns Attends Jewish Youth Fundraiser Amid NBA Split on Israel Rhetoric
Seattle Police Hunt Two Men After Unauthorized Parachute Jump From Space Needle
One Shot, One Detained Following Active Shooter Report at Texas Mall