(WHTM) — A Lehigh Valley man will spend just over a year in federal prison after authorities said he scammed victims out of nearly $2 million.

Chinedu Ekuma, 45, of Catasauqua, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison on two counts of wire fraud. He pleaded guilty in November.

Ekuma will also serve two years of supervised release and have to pay a $10,000 fine and $1,751,968 in restitution.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said he admitted to taking part in a scheme to defraud victims and obtain money.

Several victims, authorities said, were led to believe the money was being used for investment opportunities and others were victims of romance/friendship scams.

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In total, victims lost over $1.75 million and nearly lost another $650,000.

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