A cruel gang conned an elderly woman out of £20,000 then posed as detectives to try and dupe her for a second time.
The scammers hit her with a massive bill for a roof repair that was never carried out, then tried to con her again claiming to be "CID fraud officers" investigating the first case.
The 65-year-old was told by two crooks she'd get compensation if she covered £4,000 in admin and VAT charges.
But staff at her bank became concerned and called police when she asked for a loan the following day, the Daily Record reports.
A third man - Peter McDermott - was arrested when he turned up at the woman's home to collect the money.
And he pled guilty to attempting to obtain £4,000 by fraud when he appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week.
The 44-year-old, from Irvinestown in Northern Ireland will be sentenced next month.
The detail of the scam was read out in court by procurator fiscal depute Martina McGuigan.
She said: "The complainer was previously a victim of bogus workman fraud.
She paid the sum of £20,000 but her roof was not repaired. It is accepted in this case that McDermott appears to be part of a larger group."
"To date, police officers have been unsuccessful in tracing two other male suspects who attended at her home address."
McDermott's defence lawyer Kenny McGowan said: "It's a serious matter in which Mr McDermott pleads guilty to his involvement as a foot soldier."
Sheriff William Gallacher said: "The Crown accept he's not at the centre of this but it's a despicable thing to do to an individual. He knew exactly what he was doing.
"It's a mean thing to do to somebody."
Addressing McDermott, the sheriff said: "This is a member of the community who deserves protection and deserves that the court makes clear to those who choose to behave in this way that there will be very serious consequences."
