The FBI is offering up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Elaine Angene Escoe, a South Florida fugitive accused of helping obtain more than $34 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Escoe, 41, has been added to the FBI’s new Most Wanted Fraudsters list, according to NBC Miami. Federal authorities say she is wanted on charges tied to an alleged pandemic-relief fraud and money-laundering scheme.
The FBI’s wanted page lists the charges as conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, concealment money laundering, and transactional money laundering.
The case remains an allegation against Escoe. The FBI says a federal arrest warrant was issued on May 22, 2025. She was last seen in Palm Beach County on June 3, 2025, and did not appear for a scheduled court appearance two days later.
The FBI Says She Missed a Scheduled Court Appearance
The FBI’s Miami Field Office says Escoe was notified of a scheduled court appearance for June 5, 2025, but did not show up. The agency’s wanted page lists her aliases as “Annie” and “Annie Palmer,” says she was born in Jamaica, and identifies her as a Jamaican national.
The FBI says Escoe should be considered a flight risk. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI, contact a local FBI office, contact the nearest American embassy or consulate, or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.
The Alleged Scheme Targeted Pandemic Relief Programs
Federal authorities say Escoe and others allegedly submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications between May 2020 and November 2021. The applications targeted several COVID-era relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program.
The FBI says the applications allegedly included false information about employee counts, payroll expenses, and business revenues. Authorities also allege that falsified IRS tax documents and fabricated bank statements were used to support the applications.
The alleged scheme resulted in wrongful disbursements of approximately $29.1 million in PPP funds, $1.2 million in Restaurant Revitalization Fund money, and $3.8 million in Shuttered Venue Operators Grant funds, according to the FBI.
Prosecutors Say the Money Moved Through Businesses, Cash, and Checks
After the relief money was disbursed, authorities allege that Escoe and others directed payments to each other and to businesses they controlled. The FBI says the group also withdrew large sums of cash and used blank, signed checks to conceal the origin and nature of the proceeds.
Those claims have not been proven at trial. Escoe is wanted on federal charges, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
She Is on the FBI’s New Most Wanted Fraudsters List
Escoe’s case received fresh national attention after the FBI created a Most Wanted Fraudsters list for high-priority financial crime fugitives. NBC Miami reported that she was among the first eight fugitives added to the list.
The FBI says the reward of up to $150,000 is available for information leading to Escoe’s arrest and conviction. The wanted-list placement puts her case in front of the public again months after authorities say she failed to appear in federal court.
The Charges Carry Serious Potential Penalties
Federal authorities say Escoe is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, concealment money laundering, and transactional money laundering.
Wire fraud charges can carry serious prison exposure, and money-laundering charges can also bring substantial penalties if a defendant is convicted. Any sentence would be determined by a federal judge after reviewing the charges, trial record or plea record, statutory factors, and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The FBI says Escoe remains wanted. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or through the FBI’s online tip portal.