The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has placed Elaine Angene Escoe on its list of most wanted fraud suspects in connection with an alleged large-scale COVID-19 relief fraud. The agency has announced a reward of up to ₹1.29 crore (approximately USD 150,000) for information leading to her arrest and conviction in an investigation involving an alleged fraud exceeding ₹275 crore (approximately USD 32 million).
According to the FBI, the 40-year-old suspect is accused of participating in a conspiracy between May 2020 and November 2021 to fraudulently obtain funds from multiple US government COVID-19 relief programmes by submitting false documents and misleading information. Investigators allege that the network submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications seeking pandemic assistance.
Authorities claim the applications contained false information regarding employee numbers, payroll expenses, business revenue and operational details to secure government relief funds. The alleged scheme is said to have targeted several federal programmes introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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According to investigators, the alleged fraud involved approximately ₹248 crore obtained through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), around ₹10 crore from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), and nearly ₹32 crore from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) programme. The total alleged financial fraud has been estimated at more than ₹275 crore.
US investigators further allege that after receiving the funds, the accused and her associates attempted to conceal the origin of the money by transferring it through multiple companies and personal bank accounts. The investigation claims that funds were moved between businesses under their control, payments were made among co-conspirators, substantial amounts of cash were withdrawn, and pre-signed blank cheques were allegedly used to disguise the source of the money.
The FBI said Elaine Angene Escoe faces multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, and transactional money laundering. A federal arrest warrant was issued against her on May 22, 2025, by a US court.
According to investigators, Escoe was scheduled to appear before the court on June 5, 2025, but allegedly failed to do so. The FBI stated that she was last seen on June 3, 2025, in Palm Beach County, Florida, and has since been considered a fugitive.
The FBI has appealed to the public for assistance in locating the suspect and announced a reward of up to ₹1.29 crore (USD 150,000) for information leading directly to her arrest and conviction.
US authorities described the case as one of the most significant investigations involving the alleged misuse of government COVID-19 relief programmes. However, all allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and the guilt or innocence of the accused will be determined by the court based on the evidence presented during the trial.
