Crazy things happened during the whole COVID-19 pandemic and now, those involved are on the run!
Apparently, there’s this woman named Elaine Angene Escoe who landed herself on the FBI’s wanted list for allegedly swiping over $34 million in relief funds. Like, what?! That’s a whole lot of cash!
Escoe is one of several people who allegedly submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications for funds from a number of programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, between May 2020 and November 2021.
Once the money was disbursed, Escoe and the others involved allegedly directed payments to each other and to businesses they controlled, withdrew large sums in cash, and used blank, signed checks to conceal the origin and nature of the proceeds.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Escoe on May 22. She was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, concealment money laundering and transactional money laundering.
Escoe was notified of her June 5 court appearance, but failed to appear.
She was last seen on June 3 in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Escoe, who has used the alias Annie Palmer, is a Jamaican national and has ties to the country, as well as southern Florida.
Escoe is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She has tattoos on her left wrist, abdomen, back and right shoulder.
It’s wild to think that someone would take advantage of such a serious situation for their own gain. But hey, let this be a lesson to all of us – always be careful where you’re sending your money and make sure it’s going to the right place. If the government can be scammed then you all be vigilant!
