Who is Elaine Angene Escoe? FBI names her among its most wanted fraud suspects, offers $150,000 reward in alleged $32 million COVID-19 relief scam
Escoe, now considered one of the bureau’s most wanted fraud suspects, is the subject of a federal arrest warrant and investigators are offering up to $150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
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Authorities allege he played a central role in filing dozens of fake pandemic relief applications before disappearing before a scheduled court appearance.
Here’s what you need to know about Elaine Angene Escoe, the charges against her, and why the FBI is asking for the public’s help.
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Who is Elaine Angene Escoe?
Elaine Angene Escoe is a 40-year-old Jamaican woman wanted on multiple federal charges related to an alleged COVID-19 benefit fraud scheme, according to the FBI.
Investigators say she was also known by the aliases “Annie” and “Annie Palmer.” Escoe is described as:
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches
- Weight: Approximately 140 pounds
- Hair: Black
- Eyes: Brown
The FBI considers him a flight risk after allegedly failing to appear in federal court.
Why is Elaine Angene Escoe wanted by the FBI?
Federal prosecutors accuse Escoe of participating in a conspiracy that fraudulently obtained more than $32 million from various U.S. pandemic relief programs between May 2020 and November 2021.
The group allegedly submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications using false information about employee numbers, payroll costs and business revenue, according to investigators.
The applications targeted multiple federal aid programs, including:
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
- Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)
- Closed Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)
Officials say the applications falsely claimed businesses were eligible to receive millions of dollars in emergency pandemic aid.
How much money was allegedly stolen?
The FBI alleges that the conspiracy resulted in the misdistribution of millions of taxpayer dollars. According to investigators, the alleged fraud included:
- Approximately $29.1 million from the Paycheck Protection Program
- Approximately $1.2 million from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund
- Approximately $3.8 million from the Indoor Operators Grant program
In total, the alleged scheme raised federal Covid-19 relief funds to more than $32 million.
What did investigators say happened to the money?
Once the funds were received, prosecutors alleged that Escoe and his accomplices moved the money through various businesses and personal accounts in an attempt to conceal its source.
According to the FBI, allegedly:
- Money was transferred between businesses they controlled
- They sent payments to each other
- Large amount of cash withdrawn
- Blank signed checks were used to conceal the source of funds
Investigators say these actions were designed to conceal proceeds obtained through alleged fraud.
What charges is Elaine Angene Escoe facing?
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Escoe on May 22, 2025, by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in West Palm Beach.
He faces multiple federal charges, including:
- Wire fraud conspiracy
- electronic fraud
- Money laundering conspiracy
- Concealing money laundering
- Transactional money laundering
Authorities said he was informed that he would appear in court on June 5, 2025, but did not appear in court. The FBI said Escoe was last seen on June 3, 2025, in Palm Beach County, Florida.
FBI offers $150,000 reward
The FBI is offering up to $150,000 for information leading directly to the arrest and conviction of Elaine Angene Escoe.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the FBI’s official tip line or submit information online through the bureau’s official tip portal.
Authorities continue to warn that Escoe is a flight risk until he is taken into custody.
As investigators continue to search for the 40-year-old suspect, the case remains one of the FBI’s most high-profile investigations involving allegations of fraud tied to federal COVID-19 aid programs.
