Jobless Paul Welch, 56, of Shearwater Drive immediately drained every penny of the pensioner's money once it was transferred to his account.
He pleaded guilty at kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to one count of fraud by false representation, namely that he was entitled to withdraw £15,300 from his Lloyds bank account on April 10, last year.
The court rejected his claim he only became involved after threats by criminals were made to himself and his family.
The Wimbledon victim, who had approximately £75,000 in her account and had been scammed before, has been compensated.
She received a knock at her front door one day from a mystery fraudster calling himself 'Graham Sutton', who convinced her she was entitled to a share of £37,500 compensation after a Trading Standards investigation.
She complied with the condition she had to split the award with another recipient and agreed to transfer £15,300 to another account – Welch's.
Recorder Ian Gatt QC told Welch on Wednesday: “She was deceived and the next day you withdrew fifteen thousand pounds.
“You came well prepared to your bank with proof of identity, a council tax demand and a cover story about needing the money to place a deposit on a flat for your daughter.”
Welch took the remaining £300 from cashpoints.
He was arrested on May 12 and said two men confronted him outside his house and threatened to harm him and his family if he did not co-operate with the scam.
It is believed the £300 cash Welch withdrew was his reward for taking part.
“You played an essential part in the fraud, but had little knowledge of it. You were not the criminal mastermind behind this shabby fraud,” added Recorder Gatt.
“She was a well-off lady, she was not down to her last fifty pounds and is not someone that has suffered a significant impact.
“I describe Mr. Welch as a vulnerable individual who was preyed upon.”
Welch was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 180 hours community service work.
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