Cesar Humberto Pina, 48, also known as “Flipping NJ,” has pleaded guilty to a multi-million dollar real estate investment fraud scheme
A popular real estate influencer has pleaded guilty to defrauding investors of millions of dollars of their hard-earned cash in a ‘ponzi-like’ scheme that also involved money laundering for drug traffickers and the bribing of a New Jersey politician.
Cesar Humberto Pina, 48, also known as “Flipping NJ,” of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on Oct. 22 to wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, bribery of an agent of a program receiving federal funds, and travel act bribery, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
The scheme dates back to at least 2017 when Pina began accepting investments from individuals, promising to use their money to purchase, renovate and sell specific properties in New Jersey and other states, federal prosecutors said.
He developed a large following after hosting several real estate investment seminars throughout the country, often appearing alongside a celebrity disc jockey and radio personality. Although that DJ is not named in court filings, Pina was a close associate of The Breakfast Club co-host DJ Envy, who denies knowledge of Pina's crimes and has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
To attract investors, Pina often promised returns of 30% or higher within just four to five months, according to court documents. But prosecutors say the investment opportunities were not what they appeared to be.
Rather than using the money for the promised real estate projects, Pina misappropriated investor funds, using money from new investors to repay earlier ones in a Ponzi-like scheme.
Pina spent the funds of his investors on luxury clothing, travel, cars, and even beauty products for himself and others, federal prosecutors said.
In total, Pina fraudulently obtained and then misappropriated millions of dollars through his scheme.
“Cesar Pina admitted to misappropriating millions of dollars meant for real estate investments, laundering cash for narcotics traffickers, and bribing a politician in furtherance of real estate projects,” U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said.
“It is hard to imagine a more varied spate of criminal activity, which robbed investors of their life savings, helped facilitate drug trafficking, and undermined confidence in our elected officials.”
Cesar Humberto Pina, 48, also known as 'Flipping NJ,' pleaded guilty to defrauding investors of millions of dollars (Ikonic Books) Pina conspired to launder proceeds from the sale of controlled substances on behalf of individuals he knew were involved in narcotics trafficking and other criminal activity.
He also bribed a Paterson official to advance his real estate development projects, including “Old School 5,” which had applications pending before the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment.
According to prosecutors, Pina gave the official cash and other bribes in exchange for official action, assistance and influence, including help securing approval for the project's applications.
“Pina lured in victims and exploited their trust by using his online influencer persona,” FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy said. “Not only did he steal millions of dollars from investors, but he also laundered money for drug traffickers and bribed a politician along the way.”
The wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges each carry a maximum of 20 years in prison. The federal bribery charge carries a maximum of 10 years, and the travel act bribery charge carries a maximum of five years.
Each charge also carries with it the potential for significant financial penalties, which could vary from offense to offense and could even exceed the amount of money Pina made from his illegal activities.
Pina is scheduled to be sentenced on March 10, 2027.