A single mum who works in Morrisons acted as a 'money mule' for a huge fraud gang.
Abiya Hussain, 38, from Oldham, became involved in the racket which involved 'hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of dirty money obtained through frauds.
She said her crimes were committed under the orders of others, and that she received 'pocket money' for her involvement.
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Prosecutors allege another man, 58-year-old Naeem Khalid, was the 'prime mover' and acted as a 'professional money launderer', based from his home in Failsworth.
His home was the 'hub' of a 'large money laundering operation involving hundreds of thousands of pounds', prosecutors claim.
He has pleaded guilty, but his case was adjourned for a trial of issue where he is expected to give evidence before a judge decides what role he played.
Khalid's barrister claimed that his role was actually more similar to Hussain, and he was also a 'money mule'.
He was previously deported from the UK in 1991 having served a seven year prison sentence, and was not entitled to work or claim benefits.
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that a large number of businesses and individuals had been duped into transferring money into accounts run by fraudsters.
The cash was later linked to bank accounts belonging to Khalid and Hussain.
Police had detected 'classic' signs of money laundering, with large amounts of cash being deposited before being quickly withdrawn as cash, or transferred to another account.
Between 2015 and 2018 a total of £248,945 was laundered through seven bank accounts, prosecutor Hugh McKee said.
Hussain was involved to the tune of about £40,000.
Victims of the frauds included a company which lost almost £550,000, after a fraudster pretending to be from Lloyds Bank said there had been a 'security issue' and persuaded them to reveal personal information.
Others involved companies receiving emails pretending to be employees of the same company, and asking for money to be transferred.
When police officers went to Hussain's home, she made a call and pretended to be arranging childcare, but was actually ringing Khalid to alert him to what was happening.
Hussain, of Grange Street, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing criminal property.
Her barrister Gulam Ahmed admitted she had benefited financially from the crimes.
"Whether it was pocket money or whatever it is called, she did have a benefit," he said.
She had a 'troubled background' and left home at a young age, but has since 'reconciled' with her family.
She claims benefits and has worked part time at Morrisons for the past six years.
"There is a real risk that once her employers are told about her conviction that her job may be at risk," Mr Ahmed said.
"For a single mother who is on benefits, this will be a great lifeline that she may sadly lose."
She was sentenced to an 18 month community order, and told to complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
"Those who launder money facilitated the commission of offences by others," Judge Alan Conrad QC said.
"On the other hand I bear in mind what I have read and been told about you.
"You are a woman of previous good character, a hard working single mother.
"These offences now go back some considerable time."
Khalid, of Stott Street, Failsworth, who pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing criminal property, was remanded in custody until the next hearing in February.
