A former New Canaan resident was sentenced Wednesday to 33 months in federal prison for defrauding investors of more than $1.3 million.

According to court documents and statements, John B. Jeffrey, also known as Tucker Jeffrey told individuals that they could invest in Anchor Shipping and Trading and Southern Cross Shipping, telling them that the companies were organized in the Marshall Islands, were in the cargo shipping business and had long-term contracts that would support a profitable international shipping business. The shipping companies were fictitious and Jeffrey instead used the money for personal expenses.

On March 24, 2016, Jeffrey pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Jeffrey was ordered to pay $919,500 in restitution to the victims of the scheme. He paid back certain victims after he found out about the FBI investigation, but required those victims to sign “settlement” agreements purporting to settle claims related to the fictitious companies.