The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a manhunt for a Jamaican woman accused of playing a central role in a massive $34 million fraud scheme involving U.S. COVID-19 relief funds.
The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Elaine Angene Escoe, also known as “Annie” or “Annie Palmer.” FBI officials reported that she was last seen in Palm Beach County, Florida, on June 3, 2025.
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Investigators allege that between May 2020 and November 2021, Escoe and her co-conspirators submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications for federal relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG).
According to the FBI, the applications contained falsified details about employee numbers, payroll expenses, and business revenues. The scheme allegedly resulted in the wrongful disbursement of approximately $29.1 million in PPP funds, $1.2 million in RRF funds, and $3.8 million in SVOG funds.
Authorities further allege that after the funds were disbursed, Escoe and her associates funneled money into businesses they controlled, transferred payments among themselves, withdrew large sums in cash, and used blank, signed checks to disguise the origin and nature of the proceeds.
Escoe now faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, concealment of money laundering, and transactional money laundering. A federal arrest warrant was issued for her on May 22, 2025.
The FBI said Escoe had been notified of a scheduled court appearance on June 5, but failed to appear, prompting the current search.
Officials are urging anyone with information on Escoe’s whereabouts to contact the FBI immediately.
