A federal judge Monday afternoon sentenced an Ewa Beach woman who operated an $800,000 Ponzi scheme to 46 months in prison for mail fraud.

Suzette M. Anguay, 50, pleaded guilty to the charge in August.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi ordered Anguay to pay back $510,178 that she owes 11 couples or individuals.

The government says Anguay operated the scheme from 2007 to 2010 and collected more than $800,000 from victims who either hand-delivered or mailed her the money. She promised them returns of 15-30 percent through her company "Money $en$e" which she said invested in real estate.

Instead of investing the money Anguay used it to pay off her own mortgage and consumer debt, on travel and other personal living expenses such as food and utilities. She also used money from newer victims to pay off earlier "investors."