A woman accused of helping orchestrate a $32 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme has been returned to the United States after being captured in Jamaica, ending what the FBI described as a lengthy international manhunt.

FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital that 41-year-old Elaine Angene Escoe had been hiding in Jamaica under the false identity of “Harley Newman” while evading prosecution in connection with the alleged multimillion-dollar pandemic relief fraud.

Escoe arrived in South Florida on Thursday after Jamaican authorities arrested her following a federal search. Prosecutors allege she played a key role in fraudulently securing more than $32 million in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief money before fleeing the United States after failing to appear in federal court.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Escoe was indicted in 2025 on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of money laundering.

Federal prosecutors said an arrest warrant was issued after Escoe failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing in May 2025. Investigators allege she escaped to Jamaica, where authorities ultimately tracked her down after the FBI received a tip regarding her whereabouts.

“This Most Wanted Fraudster allegedly obtained tens of millions in COVID-19 relief, stealing critical resources from legitimate businesses during a national crisis,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News Digital.

“She fled the country believing she could escape justice but ultimately could not,” he continued. “Those who exploit taxpayer-funded programs will be held accountable by this Department of Justice, no matter how long it takes or where they attempt to hide.”

Patel described the arrest as another major success in the FBI’s effort to track down international fraud suspects, noting that Escoe is the fourth alleged “Most Wanted Fraudster” apprehended 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. “Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May 2025, was captured in Jamaica while living under a fake identity of ‘Harley Newman’ — and returned to the United States today to face justice.”

Patel said Escoe is accused of participating in a conspiracy involving wire fraud and money laundering that fraudulently obtained more than $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.

He added that since June, the FBI has brought more than 30 high-value fugitives back to the United States. According to Patel, the four alleged fraud suspects captured over the past five weeks are collectively accused of nearly $1.8 billion in fraud after spending more than 3,500 days on the run across three continents.

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

Authorities said the operation to return Escoe to the United States involved coordinated efforts by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, Jamaican law enforcement, and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office.