COLUMBIA, S.C. – Malik Jahlil Bell, 28, known on the streets as “Leek Obama,” is trading rap verses for prison bars after being sentenced to nine years – 108 months – in federal prison. Bell, the ringleader of a brazen fraud operation dubbed “Swiperz Only,” was convicted on charges of bank fraud, money laundering, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis, reflects the scale and audacity of the scheme.
The “Swiperz Only” crew didn’t bother with complex hacking or digital trickery. Their method was shockingly simple, exploiting a customer service feature designed to *help* victims of fraud. Banks often issue “provisional credits” to accounts while investigating disputed charges. Bell and his crew learned to game the system, making multiple ATM withdrawals of these temporary credits, leaving the accounts with crippling negative balances. It was a fast-money hustle built on shaky foundations – and ultimately, it crumbled.
But this wasn’t some shadowy operation conducted in the dark. Bell and the “Swiperz Only” crew flaunted their ill-gotten gains with a disturbing level of arrogance. Social media became their billboard, plastered with images of massive stacks of cash, extravagant jewelry, and firearms. Bell himself released music videos openly referencing the “Swiperz Only” scheme, practically advertising their criminal enterprise to potential recruits. They weren’t hiding; they were bragging.
Investigators uncovered a central “Swiperz Only” headquarters – a house decked out with custom logos. The logo itself is a telling detail: a figure standing before an ATM, a duffle bag overflowing with cash at his feet. The crew didn’t stop at logos; they commissioned custom diamond jewelry bearing the “Swiperz Only” insignia and proudly wore branded clothing, turning their criminal activity into a perverse form of identity.
The jig is up, and the price is steep. In addition to the 108-month prison sentence, Bell has been ordered to pay $238,652.87 in restitution to the victim bank. And for those thinking about following in his footsteps, remember this: there’s no parole in the federal system. Bell will serve his full sentence, followed by five years of court-ordered supervision.
The case was meticulously investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, highlighting the often-overlooked role postal inspectors play in combating financial crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson successfully prosecuted the case, bringing the “Swiperz Only” operation to a definitive end. This case serves as a harsh reminder that even brazen displays of wealth can’t shield criminals from justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Willie May Ford Gets 51 Months for Tax Fraud Scheme · Alabama
- Antonio Thelwell Gets 38 Months for Elder Fraud Scheme · South Carolina
- Ricky Costello Williams Sentenced in Tax Fraud Scheme · North Carolina
- Fort Mill Man Jailed in $285K Lexmark Fraud Scheme · South Carolina
- Ex-Greenville Postmaster Pleads Guilty in $300K Wire Fraud Scheme · South Carolina
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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