Columbia SC rapper sentenced to 9 years in prison for bank fraud, feds say
A Columbia rapper was sentenced to nine years in federal prison after prosecutors say he led a fraud ring that exploited hundreds of thousands of dollars from banks.
Malik Jahlil Bell, 28, of Columbia, who goes by the stage name “Leek Obama,” was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Mary Lewis for bank fraud, money laundering and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the South Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say Bell led a fraud ring named “Swiperz Only,” which exploited banks by leveraging a customer service benefit that provided provisional credits when fraud is reported on a customer’s account.
Bank provisional credits temporarily funds a customer’s account in the amount the customer says was fraudulently withdrawn while the bank investigates the claim.
Bell and the “Swiperz Only” ring deployed a scheme where they made multiple withdrawals from provisional credits using ATM machines. The ring would leave the accounts with large negative balances, a news release said.
Prosecutors said Bell and “Swiperz Only” regularly boasted about their crimes by posting pictures and videos on social media of large stacks of cash, lavish jewelry and firearms, according to the release.
In addition, Bell posted a series of music videos citing the scheme and advertising it to others, the release said.
Evidence presented during Bell’s guilty plea and sentencing hearings showed that the fraud ring shared a large home, decorated with custom “Swiperz Only” logos — showing 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, the release said.
Following his sentence, Bell will undergo a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. He’ll also have to repay $238,652.87 in restitution to the bank, according to the release.
