A Canadian man who unsuccessfully fought extradition to the United States all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison for using a lottery scam to cheat dozens of elderly Americans out of $600,000.

Henry Anekwu of Vancouver was also ordered to pay about $500,000 in restitution.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles say that from 1998 through 2003, the 43-year-old employed telemarketer told victims they had won a lottery but had to pay taxes before they could collect.

Anekwu called the 79 victims over and over again, demanding more money and encouraging them to borrow to pay the fees.

He was arrested in Canada, but launched a court battle over his extradition.

The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled in April 2008 that hearsay evidence gathered against Anekwu in Canada didn't meet the standards of the Extradition Act.

But the Supreme Court of Canada overturned that ruling last year, and Anekwu was sent south.

U.S. District Judge John F. Walter said it was "painful" to listen to the testimony of Anekwu's victims, and said the man showed no remorse.