Marvin Songlin Gets 4 Years in Lottery Scam

Marvin Songlin, 32, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is headed to federal prison for four years after being convicted in a predatory lottery scam that ripped off more than 150 elderly victims nationwide. Sentenced yesterday in federal court in Florence by U.S. District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, Songlin admitted to acting as a key money mule in a transnational fraud ring that preyed on seniors desperate to claim fictitious sweepstakes winnings.

Songlin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, along with separate charges of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of marijuana. The dual convictions expose the brazen reach of the operation — one that exploited trust and desperation while funneling illicit cash across borders. Judge Harwell also ordered Songlin to pay full restitution to the scam’s victims, though recovering the stolen funds remains a steep challenge.

According to evidence presented during the guilty plea, the scam hinged on lies: victims were told they’d won big in lotteries they never entered, but had to pay upfront taxes or processing fees to claim their prizes. Those fees, often sent via wire transfer or mailed as checks, totaled more than $1 million funneled through mules like Songlin. The money was quickly routed to co-conspirators in Jamaica, where the scheme’s architects operated from offshore.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Beth Drake, has dismantled much of the network. Nineteen other defendants tied to the scam have already been convicted and sentenced by the same judge, marking one of South Carolina’s most extensive crackdowns on elder financial exploitation. Authorities say the coordinated takedown underscores how deeply organized crime has embedded itself in fraud targeting vulnerable Americans.

Investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (UPIS), whose agents traced digital footprints and financial trails across state and international lines. Prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric J. Klumb from the Charleston office and A. Bradley Parham from Florence, who called the scam ‘predatory, calculated, and cruel.’

With all 20 defendants now accounted for, federal authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant. Scammers continue to evolve, but the playbook remains the same: fake wins, urgent demands, and real losses. For families of the elderly, officials stress education and verification before sending a single dollar.