TikTok Lawyer Akhmed Yakoob Charged with Money Laundering Offences

Ex-mayoral candidate Akhmed Yakoob faces 3 money laundering charges after NCA probe. Set to appear in court with co-accused accountant Nabeel Afzal.

Akhmed Yakoob, the Birmingham solicitor known for his viral TikTok presence and recent political campaigns, has been charged with money laundering offences following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The 37-year-old lawyer, who previously stood as an Independent candidate in both the 2024 West Midlands mayoral election and the general election in Birmingham Ladywood, has been charged alongside Birmingham-based accountant Nabeel Afzal, 38.

According to the NCA, the pair each face three charges:

• Money laundering
• Encouraging money laundering
• Failing to apply customer due diligence measures when establishing a business relationship

The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 18 February 2020 and 8 January 2021.

Mr Yakoob, of Perry Barr, and Mr Afzal, of Edgbaston, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 17 June.

The NCA has not released further details at this stage. West Midlands Police declined to comment, stating that it is a matter for the NCA.

Yakoob, often referred to as the “TikTok lawyer” due to his prolific social media following, received 69,621 votes in the West Midlands mayoral contest earlier this year, coming third. He also ran in the 2024 general election, standing against Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood in Birmingham Ladywood, where he lost out in second place.

He has previously faced scrutiny, apologising for doxxing a woman over a false allegation of racism.

The charges raise serious questions about Yakoob’s future in both the legal and political arenas.