Bilal Charles, a resident of London who was previously the victim of a viral Essex machete attack, is currently in custody in California. He faces charges of access device fraud related to an alleged attempt to steal £125,000 in cryptocurrency.
The $167,000 Bitcoin and Ethereum theft attempt
In San Francisco, an alleged scheme targeted a victim's cryptocurrency holdings after his iPhone was stolen outside a nightclub on June 28. According to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, the perpetrator attempted to withdraw more than $167,000 (£125,000) in Bitcoin and Ethereum. While a 48-hour security delay prevented the full loss of the crypto assets, the thief successfully utilized the stolen device to facilitate several other transactions:
- £930 in department store gift cards
- An electronics purchase exceeding $500 (£375)
- A £500 Apple iPad
- An unauthorized $4,000 (£3,000) bank transfer
How the US Secret Service traced 'Mr.Swipedat' via Meta records
Investigators linked Bilal Charles to the crime by connecting an Instagram account used during the theft to his personal identity. the US Secret Service utilized records from Meta, the parent company of Instagram,alongside email provider data to trace the account back to Charles. This digital trail was further bolstered when investigators discovered that Charles had provided a London home address to an airline, providing a physical link to the digital persona. Records also indicate that Charles had arrived in California from Toronto just eight days before the alleged theft occurred.
A violent transition from Rainham, Essex to San Francisco
The legal troubles for Bilal Charles follow a high-profile incident in Rainham, Essex, where he was the victim of a frenzied machete attack. The footage of that attack, which showed Charles being slashed in the face and arm by at least three men, became a viral sensation.. Since that event, Charles has maintained a social media presence under the pseudonym Mr.Swipedat, where he reportedly showcased a "fast-money lifestyle" involving luxury jewelry and large amounts of cash.
Unverified details in the San Leandro Target CCTV footage
While prosecutors have presented evidence, several details in the case against Bilal Charles remain subject to ongoing court proceedings. Although CCTV from a Target store in San Leandro reportedly shows a man in a grey Nike tracksuit using a phone with a blue case,the defense has not conceded these images definitively identify Charles.. Furthermore, while the victim noted a "distinctive London accent" during the encounter, the extent to which this corroborates the digital evidence is still being weighed by District Judge Peter Kang. An Internal Revenue Service criminal investigator has stated there is probable cause, but the discovery of Charles's iCloud account remains an ongoing process. As the report states, Charles has pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces up to 15 years in a US prison if convicted.
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