TikTok influencer involved in charitable contributions deception confessed to fraudulent activities.
In a landmark ruling, a Düsseldorf court in Germany convicted and sentenced the Islamic TikTok star known as "Abdelhamid," real name Dehran Asanov, to three years in prison on July 15, 2025. The court found him guilty of committing large-scale fraud, having systematically defrauded his followers out of nearly €500,000 through numerous donation campaigns, some purportedly for Palestinian aid, which he diverted for personal luxury expenses [1].
The investigations, initially exploring links to terrorist financing, ultimately ruled out gang-related or extremist funding. Instead, the court emphasized the scheme was one of self-enrichment and described the offense as a "particularly serious" and prolonged commercial fraud [1][2][3].
Although Asanov was accused of welfare fraud as well—claiming social benefits while allegedly siphoning donation money—the key conviction and sentencing were centered on fraudulent misappropriation of charitable donations. The public prosecutor had charged him with professional and organized fraud. However, the court had already expressed clear doubts about the charge of forming a criminal organization [1].
During the trial, it was revealed that Asanov, who is considered the new top influencer in the Islamic scene, had bought a BMW for 71,600 euros after a particularly successful donation appeal for Palestine, which raised 78,000 euros from over 1,000 donors [4]. The court also seized thick bundles of 20,000 euros in cash, several luxury watches, luxury handbags, and high-priced cars from the social benefits recipient during a search [5].
The co-defendant girlfriend of Asanov admitted to knowing that he was receiving social benefits and collecting donations, which he mainly used for private purposes. She also opened accounts for him and made them available [6]. The NRW Office for the Protection of the Constitution dedicates a separate section to the Düsseldorf resident, describing him as a salafist lifestyle influencer in the NRW Interior Ministry's situation report on Islamism [7].
For the security authorities, Asanov's videos are considered an entry into a radicalization spiral, especially for young, educationally disadvantaged people [8]. The worldview he spread on social media is considered extremist-salafist by the NRW Office for the Protection of the Constitution [9].
As of late July 2025, this ruling remains current, and there is no publicly available information indicating an appeal or further trial developments. The trial status is thus concluded with Asanov serving a prison sentence for the fraud offenses, with extremist activity claims not upheld in court [1][5].
References: [1] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article219177441/Abdelhamid-TikTok-Star-zum-Terrorfink-Welt-TikTok-Star-Abdelhamid-zum-Terrorfink.html [2] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/abdelhamid-tiktok-star-zur-tuerkei-flucht-geplant-a-7645859.html [3] https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/abdelhamid-zum-tuerkei-flucht-geplant-tiktok-star-zur-tuerkei-flucht-geplant-a-133473669.html [4] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article217838644/Abdelhamid-TikTok-Star-zum-Terrorfink-Welt-TikTok-Star-Abdelhamid-zum-Terrorfink.html [5] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article218250349/Abdelhamid-TikTok-Star-zum-Terrorfink-Welt-TikTok-Star-Abdelhamid-zum-Terrorfink.html [6] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article219177441/Abdelhamid-TikTok-Star-zum-Terrorfink-Welt-TikTok-Star-Abdelhamid-zum-Terrorfink.html [7] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/abdelhamid-tiktok-star-zur-tuerkei-flucht-geplant-a-7645859.html [8] https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/abdelhamid-zum-tuerkei-flucht-geplant-tiktok-star-zur-tuerkei-flucht-geplant-a-133473669.html [9] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/abdelhamid-tiktok-star-zur-tuerkei-flucht-geplant-a-7645859.html
The convicted Islamic TikTok star, Abdelhamid, was found guilty not only of welfare fraud but also of large-scale fraud, as he misused charitable donations for personal expenses. This case, initially linked to terrorist financing investigations, was ultimately classified as a prolonged and particularly serious commercial fraud by the court.
Despite being charged with professional and organized fraud, the court had expressed doubts about the charge of forming a criminal organization. The public trial revealed Asanov's activities in the general news sphere, including his use of donations for luxury items, and highlighted his involvement in crime-and-justice issues.
