A Jamaican woman wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigations in connection with an alleged US$32 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme has been returned to the United States after being arrested by authorities in Jamaica.

The FBI announced that Elaine Angene Escoe was taken into custody after Jamaican authorities received a tip about her whereabouts.

The FBI had offered a US$150,000 reward for information leading to her arrest.

Escoe is accused of participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering linked to the fraudulent acquisition of more than US$32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.

According to the FBI, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Escoe on May 22, 2025, by the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

She was scheduled to appear in court on June 5, 2025, but failed to do so.

Investigators later determined that Escoe had fled to Jamaica, where she was eventually located and arrested.

The FBI said her return to the United States reflects its ongoing efforts to pursue suspects accused of financial crimes, even after they leave the country.