(WHTM) \u2014 A Lehigh Valley man will spend just over a year in federal prison after authorities said he scammed victims out of nearly $2 million.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ekuma will also serve two years of supervised release and have to pay a $10,000 fine and $1,751,968 in restitution.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said he admitted to taking part in a scheme to defraud victims and obtain money.<\/p>\n
Several victims, authorities said, were led to believe the money was being used for investment opportunities and others were victims of romance\/friendship scams.<\/p>\n
Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV devices<\/a>, and newer Samsung Smart TVs.<\/a><\/p>\n In total, victims lost over $1.75 million and nearly lost another $650,000.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n