The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a $150,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Elaine Angene Escoe, a South Florida woman accused of orchestrating a massive pandemic-relief fraud. Escoe was added to the FBI’s newly launched Most Wanted Fraudsters list after federal authorities allege she helped secure more than $34 million in government funds through deceptive means.
Flight Risk After Missing Court Appearance
Federal records indicate that an arrest warrant for Escoe, 41, was issued on May 22, 2025. According to the FBI’s Miami Field Office, she failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing on June 5, 2025, despite being notified of the date. Her last known location was Palm Beach County on June 3, 2025.
The agency has classified Escoe as a flight risk and urges anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact local FBI offices or submit tips through their online portal. The wanted list identifies her by aliases including "Annie" and "Annie Palmer," noting she was born in Jamaica and holds Jamaican nationality.
Alleged Scheme Targeting Relief Programs
Prosecutors allege that between May 2020 and November 2021, Escoe and co-conspirators submitted over 90 fraudulent applications targeting several federal aid programs. These included the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.
The FBI states that these applications contained false information regarding employee counts, payroll expenses, and business revenues. Authorities allege that falsified IRS tax documents and fabricated bank statements were used to support these claims. The alleged scheme resulted in wrongful disbursements of approximately $29.1 million from the PPP, $3.8 million from Shuttered Venue Operators Grants, and $1.2 million from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
Money Laundering Charges and Legal Context
Beyond fraud charges, Escoe faces multiple counts of money laundering, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, concealment money laundering, and transactional money laundering. Federal authorities allege that after receiving the funds, payments were directed between individuals and businesses controlled by the group. The scheme allegedly involved withdrawing large sums in cash and using blank, signed checks to obscure the origin of the proceeds.
Escoe is among the first eight fugitives placed on the FBI’s new Most Wanted Fraudsters list, designed to highlight high-priority financial crime cases. While these charges carry serious potential prison sentences if convicted, federal law presumes her innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case remains an active investigation as authorities seek public assistance in locating the fugitive.
