FBI nabs alleged $32M COVID fraud fugitive in Jamaica
Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May 2025, was captured in Jamaica whereas residing underneath a faux id of ‘Harley Newman’ and returned to the United States right now to face justice. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasised the historic success of the ‘Most Wanted Fraudster’ checklist, noting Escoe is the fourth such seize in 5 weeks.
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A Los Angeles influencer accused of focusing on rich victims earlier than stealing from them is again behind bars after authorities stated she allegedly eliminated her ankle monitor whereas awaiting trial.
Adva Lavie, 28, who additionally goes by Mia Ventura, was arrested Tuesday night in Beverly Hills simply months after she was launched on digital monitoring whereas awaiting trial on felony housebreaking expenses.
Prosecutors stated Lavie violated the circumstances of her launch by allegedly removing the digital monitor she was ordered to put on. A choose has since revoked her launch, ordered her held with out bail and scheduled a bail overview listening to for Friday in Van Nuys.
Court data additionally present Lavie was arrested on an excellent Riverside County warrant in a separate grand theft case.
NEARLY 1 IN 12 DEFENDANTS ON ANKLE MONITORS IN CHICAGO HAVE GONE AWOL, AUTHORITIES SAY
Adva Lavie, often known as Mia Ventura, is proven in a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department particular bulletin. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Newly obtained courtroom data present Riverside County prosecutors charged Lavie in April with felony grand theft after accusing her of stealing greater than $11,000 in luxurious objects through the 2025 Coachella Music Festival.
Prosecutors stated Lavie failed to look for her scheduled May arraignment, prompting a choose to challenge a $20,000 arrest warrant. As of Thursday afternoon, she had not but been booked into Riverside County, and no in-custody arraignment had been scheduled.
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Adva Lavie, often known as Mia Ventura, is proven in a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department particular bulletin alongside autos authorities stated had been linked to a residential housebreaking collection focusing on victims by means of courting apps. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
The Riverside case facilities on allegations Lavie stole an roughly $8,600 Rolex watch, Louis Vuitton Aviator sunglasses valued at about $700 and a Louis Vuitton cardholder value about $1,800 from a person she attended Coachella with.
Investigators stated the person invited Lavie to stick with him at an Airbnb in Indio throughout Coachella weekend. After the pair argued, she allegedly helped herself to the posh objects from his unlocked Tesla Cybertruck earlier than leaving.
According to an arrest warrant, surveillance cameras on the Airbnb captured the alleged theft, and detectives later identified Lavie from the video. Investigators additionally famous she was a suspect in one other theft reported on the similar property.
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Adva Lavie, often known as Mia Ventura, in modeling photographs. (Paul Archuleta/Getty Images for Teatro Live; Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)
Lavie’s newest arrest comes practically 4 months after Los Angeles County prosecutors accused her of finishing up a dating app burglary spree focusing on rich victims throughout Southern California.
Prosecutors allege Lavie spent years utilizing courting apps and “Sugar Daddy” web sites to construct relationships with rich older males and youthful ladies earlier than posing as a girlfriend or journey companion to realize entry to their houses.
Adva Lavie, often known as Mia Ventura, in purple carpet and occasion photographs. (Paul Archuleta/Getty Images; Paul Archuleta/Getty Images for Teatro Live; Paul Archuleta/Getty Images for Teatro)
Once inside, authorities stated, she stole money, gold, bank cards and luxury designer items from victims in Westlake Village, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
Lavie has pleaded not responsible to 6 felony expenses, together with two counts of grand theft, two counts of first-degree residential housebreaking and two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information. She was launched from custody on an digital ankle monitor earlier than her newest arrest.
When asserting the case in March, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated prosecutors meant to show Lavie exploited the belief she constructed by means of on-line relationships.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks at a information convention alongside Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna June 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (KTTV)
“At her trial, we will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this defendant exploited trust built through online relationships to gain access to victims’ homes and steal from them,” Hochman stated. “Her ability to deceptively influence others, whether in person or online, has now come to an end.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department beforehand launched a public bulletin figuring out Lavie because the suspect in the courting app housebreaking investigation and revealed pictures of luxurious autos investigators stated she drove, together with a white Mercedes-Benz coupe and a black Porsche SUV.
Fox 11 Los Angeles beforehand reported that Lavie’s fiancé, billionaire entrepreneur Stephen Cloobeck, was arrested on separate felony expenses alleging he tried to dissuade witnesses from testifying towards her.
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If convicted on all six felony counts in the Los Angeles County case, Lavie faces as much as 11 years and eight months in state jail.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
