Ian Bell, a Denver day trader who used phony screenshots and fake email addresses to bilk 30 investors out of $1.2 million, was sentenced to 37 months in a federal prison Friday.

“I deeply regret the choices that led me here and the harm that I caused,” Bell told U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer before pausing to apologize to his family and to briefly cry.

“To those who placed their confidence in me, I offer my sincere apologies,” he added.

Brimmer also ordered Bell to repay $1.2 million and to spend three years on probation.

“This kind of thing has a terrible effect on the victims. I don’t know how Mr. Bell could live with himself during this scheme,” the judge said just before handing down the sentence.

“Maybe they should not have been duped by the preposterous stories that Mr. Be

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