A Glasgow woman paid £120 and travelled almost 200 miles to bring home two kittens that didn't exist.
She drove three hours to Rosie Patricia Northend's house in Darlington in England to pick up the kittens after she saw them advertised online.
Mum-of-three Northend had even given her regular updates on the kittens progress.
It was only when she arrived at Northend's house that she was told by a man he had no knowledge of the animals existing.
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The Glasgow woman took the matter to police on the same day, Teesside Live reports.
The case was heard before Peterlee Magistrates' Court this week.
Northend admitted two counts of fraud, by dishonestly making a false representation by offering for sale two kittens, on the day of her trial.
Michael Wallbank, prosecuting, outlined that the victim received regular messages from the 28-year-old accused before she made the journey from Scotland.
"The victim and her sister attended the address and were confronted by a male who told them he had no knowledge of the defendant or the kittens," Mr Wallbank said.
"The claimant reported the matter to the police on the same day."
Meanwhile a second victim, a man from Northumberland, had also contacted the mum-of-three about the sale of the kittens - agreeing to pay a deposit of £140 for both pets.
Having initially received regular updates, the man didn't hear from Northend for 10 days and concerned took to Facebook to ask if anyone had any dealings with the defendant previously.
In response, the first victim revealed she had fallen foul to the fraudulent adverts.
The victims had also travelled to Peterlee Magistrates' Court to appear as witnesses in the trial, which was set to go ahead until the 11th hour.
Dave Dedman, mitigating for Northend, said: "This is not someone who is a serial fraudster.
"These are unsophisticated offences. She posted the advert using her correct details. It was inevitable this was going to be discovered.
"There are two complainants who put on Facebook this had happened - if it had happened with other people they would have come forward and they haven't.
"The complainants were disappointed and frustrated but certainly not left financially ruined."
Northend, of Borough Road, was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to each victim as well as £100 in court costs.
