Jamie Lee, 35, allowed money to be transferred into his bank account despite suspecting it was proceeds from fraud.
Fake adverts offering short-term places to stay in Norwich were placed on Facebook but when would-be tenants who had paid deposits turned up they found the properties locked and not available for rent.
Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told four men seeking temporary accommodation while working on the construction of Sizewell C had been conned into paying a total of more than £1,200 in deposits and rent.
Simon Jessop, prosecuting, said when they arrived at addresses in Norwich they discovered they were not rental properties.
Perran Stephens, 34, of Norwich Road in Wymondham, was convicted in July 2025 of being the main figure behind the scam admitting fraud by false representation over adverts placed between July 20 and August 31, 2024.
Lee, of Cathedral Street in Norwich, had pleaded not guilty to fraud by false representation and transferring criminal property.
But at his expected trial this week he admitted a single charge of money laundering while prosecutors withdrew the fraud allegation.
Jonathan Perkins, mitigating, said: “His was a secondary lesser role. He admits he suspected something was array, that the money transferred into his account was from criminal activity, and that he did nothing with this suspicion.”
He said he had “difficult personal circumstances” with four children and serious health issues that meant he was on benefits.
“Money was clearly playing on his mind and influenced his decision making,” he added.
Magistrates ordered that he pay £769 compensation to the four victims but decided against further punishment after hearing he was already serving a suspended prison sentence imposed for driving while disqualified.
Lee already owes over £10,000 in unpaid court fines.
Fraud and money laundering charges were withdrawn from co-defendant Victoria Lee, 33, also of Cathedral Street, Norwich.
