A shop worker admitted attempting to falsely claim a £1 million lottery prize which belonged to a great-grandmother.
Farrakh Nizzar told Maureen Holt, 77, she had won nothing when he scanned her EuroMillions ticket at a convenience store in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
He told her he would throw the ticket away, but then later phoned a lottery hotline to say it was he who had bought the jackpot ticket from the store.
His con unravelled when it was discovered it had been purchased on Mrs Holt's credit card at a different store in the town.
Mrs Holt and husband Fred, 80, were on holiday when the draw which matched their numbers was made in June.
Mrs Holt said: "I just can't believe he did this, but at least he got caught. This money means my husband can give up work and we can enjoy our retirement."
Nizzar, 30, pled guilty to fraud by false representation when he faced Oldham Magistrates' Court.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing on August 20.
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