MIAMI (VINnews)-A Jamaican national and FBI Most Wanted fraudster has been returned to the United States to face federal charges in an alleged $32 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, authorities said.

Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, arrived in South Florida on Saturday after being captured in Jamaica while living under the false identity Harley Newman. She was indicted in 2025 in the Southern District of Florida on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud and money laundering.

Prosecutors allege Escoe and her co-conspirators submitted or caused the submission of fraudulent applications for more than $32 million in Paycheck Protection Program, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds between 2020 and 2021. The applications used fabricated tax documents, bank records and other false financial information to claim the existence, payroll and operations of businesses, according to authorities. Some applications were for entities controlled by the group; others involved third parties who received kickbacks of up to 50% of the proceeds. The funds were then laundered among the conspirators.

A federal arrest warrant was issued in May 2025 after Escoe failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing. She was last seen in Palm Beach County around June 3, 2025, before fleeing to Jamaica. Jamaican authorities arrested her following a tip developed by the FBI.

Her return was coordinated by the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Jamaican Constabulary Force and other partners.

Escoe is the final defendant remaining in the case. Five co-defendants have already been convicted or pleaded guilty: Alfred Davis received 235 months in prison, Cher Davis 87 months, Latoya Clark 70 months, Gino Jourdan 46 months and James McGhow 42 months.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Escoe is the fourth alleged Most Wanted fraudster captured in five weeks.