Columbia Rapper Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Bank Fraud and Money Laundering

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Malik Jahlil Bell, 28, a/k/a "Leek Obama," of Columbia, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for bank fraud, money laundering, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Bell was the leader of a fraud ring that called themselves "Swiperz Only." Bell and his co-defendants learned to exploit a customer service benefit from banks that provided "provisional credits" to accounts when a customer reported fraudulent activity. These "provisional credits" were temporarily applied to the accounts while the bank investigated the disputed payments or reports of fraud. Bell and the "Swiperz Only" ring concocted a scheme that allowed them to make multiple withdrawals of these "provisional credits" from ATM machines, leaving the accounts with large negative balances.

Bell and the "Swiperz Only" brazenly flaunted their crimes, frequently posting pictures and videos on social media sites of huge stacks of cash, opulent jewelry and firearms. Bell personally posted multiple music videos referencing the "Swiperz Only" scheme and advertising it to others. Evidence presented during Bell's guilty plea and sentencing showed that the fraud ring shared a large home, decorated with custom "Swiperz Only" logos. The logo depicts a man standing in front of an ATM with a duffle bag filled with cash. The group also purchased custom diamond jewelry of the "Swiperz Only" logo and frequently wore "Swiperz Only" branded clothing.

United States District Mary G. Lewis sentenced Bell to 108 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. He was ordered to repay $238,652.87 in restitution to the victim bank.

This case was investigated by United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson is prosecuting the case.

###