Prominent Birmingham ‘TikTok Lawyer’ Charged with Money Laundering
Akhmed Yakoob, a well-known Birmingham lawyer and former Independent candidate in the 2024 West Midlands mayoral race, has been hit with serious money laundering charges. The 37-year-old, who also contested the Birmingham Ladywood seat in the general election, faces three counts of financial crime alongside accountant Nabeel Afzal, 38, from Edgbaston.
Money Laundering Allegations Unveiled
The National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed both men stand accused of:
- Money laundering
- Encouraging money laundering
- Failing to carry out proper customer due diligence when setting up business relationships
The alleged offences took place between 18 February 2020 and 8 January 2021, as part of a wider probe into suspicious financial activity across the West Midlands region.
Yakoob and Afzal are set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 17 June 2025.
From Social Media Star to Courtroom Drama
Yakoob, dubbed the “TikTok lawyer” thanks to his massive online following and sharp political commentary, made waves in local politics. He finished second in the Birmingham Ladywood seat during the 2024 general election and bagged third place in the West Midlands mayoral race with a strong 69,621 votes.
National Crime Agency Cracks Down on Financial Crime
The NCA is spearheading the investigation. West Midlands Police declined to comment, saying the case is under the NCA’s control.
“This investigation is part of our commitment to tackling economic crime. We take allegations of money laundering extremely seriously and will continue to pursue individuals who seek to abuse the financial system,” said an NCA spokesperson.
As of now, Yakoob has not made any public statements regarding the charges.
