Woman accused of helping steal more than $32 million in COVID-19 relief funds faces federal fraud and money laundering charges.
A woman on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters List has been returned to South Florida to face federal charges accusing her of participating in a scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds, officials announced this week.
Elaine Escoe, 41, was returned Saturday to Florida after authorities in Jamaica arrested her following a tip developed through an FBI investigation.
Quick Facts
- Defendant: Elaine Escoe, 41
- Returned to: Southern District of Florida
Alleged fraud: More than $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds- Charges: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, money laundering
- Indicted: 2025
- Fled: Jamaica after failing to appear in court in May 2025
- Arrested: By Jamaican authorities after an FBI-developed tip
- Agencies involved: FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Diplomatic Security Service, Jamaican Constabulary Force, Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team
A federal grand jury indicted Escoe in 2025 on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering.
Federal authorities said Escoe fled to Jamaica after a federal arrest warrant was issued in May 2025 when she failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing.
Her return to the United States was coordinated by 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, and the Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team.
According to court records, Escoe and her co-conspirators allegedly submitted fraudulent applications seeking more than $32 million through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs. Prosecutors said they used fake tax returns, fabricated bank records, and other false financial documents to obtain loans and grants by misrepresenting businesses’ payrolls, revenues, and operations.
Authorities said some applications were submitted for businesses controlled by the conspirators, while others were filed for third parties in exchange for kickbacks of up to 50% of the loan proceeds. The illicit proceeds were then allegedly laundered among members of the conspiracy.
Escoe is the final defendant charged in the case. Five co-defendants have already been convicted or pleaded guilty and received prison sentences ranging from 42 months to 235 months.
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.