Birmingham solicitor Akhmed Yakoob has been charged by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) with three money laundering offences: money laundering, encouraging money laundering and contravening a requirement to apply customer due diligence measures when establishing a business relationship.
The alleged conduct took place between February 2020 and January 2021. Also charged with the same three offences is Nabeel Afzal, an accountant. Both men have been summoned to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 17 June.
Yakoob, who has over 200,000 followers on TikTok and has been dubbed “the TikTok lawyer” for his strong presence on the platform, recently stood as an Independent candidate in the West Midlands mayoral election, where he came in third, and the general election in 2024, coming in second.
Yakoob’s professional conduct had already come under scrutiny prior to the recent money laundering charges. In January 2025, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) launched an investigation into Yakoob after he shared a video on social media that falsely accused a teacher of racism, leading to the teacher to be subjected to a ‘torrent of abuse’ and even death threats. In that case, he agreed to apologise and pay damages. This incident raised serious concerns about his use of social media and adherence to professional standards, but it is now his alleged failure to comply with basic AML obligations that could cost him far more in both fines and reputational damage.
Why firms should pay attention
This case isn’t just tabloid fodder or TikTok gossip. It reveals real, systemic compliance failures that could happen in any law firm without the right controls in place.
1. Customer due diligence is not optional
One of the charges against Yakoob is failing to adhere to customer due diligence under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. Firms are required to verify clients’ identities, assess risk, and monitor for suspicious activity, especially in high-cash environments. This isn’t red tape; it’s the frontline defence.
2. Compliance training has to keep up
AML risks evolve rapidly, particularly in professions where trust is high and oversight can be low. Staff need regular, role-specific AML training—not generic refreshers. Training should focus on risk indicators, reporting mechanisms, and what to do when due diligence reveals warning signs.
3. Accountants, lawyers, and collaboration risk
This case involves both a solicitor and an accountant—two professions frequently exploited by money launderers. Criminals often use accountants to add a veneer of legitimacy, creating complex structures or falsifying records to hide illicit funds. When lawyers and accountants operate in silos, gaps emerge. That’s why cross-profession training and shared protocols are essential.
4. Social media and perception
Yakoob’s high-profile social media presence may have increased scrutiny. But even without viral fame, any hint of lifestyle mismatches, lavish spending, or irregular finances should trigger internal red flags. Compliance isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about spotting behavioural risks too.
What should every firm do now?
This case shows how quickly a regulatory breach can escalate into a criminal charge—and how a firm’s reputation can unravel in public view. Even without a conviction, being charged can damage careers, destroy trust, and bring SRA scrutiny to your entire firm.
Firms must:
- Review their AML policies, procedures, and controls (PPCs)
- Conduct regular internal audits of due diligence files
- Invest in modern AML training for all legal and support staff
- Ensure risk-based approaches are actually being followed—not just documented
How VinciWorks can help
Training your staff in anti-money laundering (AML) needs to be more than a tick-box exercise. Companies and law firms can easily fall out of compliance or get caught up in dirty money without a robust AML framework. Packed with realistic scenarios, real-life case studies and customisation options, our suite of AML courses will help you stay protected.
We recognise that law firms, accountants, financial institutions, and other regulated entities face rigorous AML processes that vary by industry and jurisdiction. Static forms or outdated software pose significant compliance risks. Omnitrack’s AML Onboarding Solution streamlines these processes with adaptive template workflows that adjust to client-specific risks, ensuring full compliance and informed decision-making.
