Mohamad Kassem Najm

Key Points

• Professional Background: Mohamad Kassem Najm is a qualified real estate professional with over a decade of experience, registered with CRECI-SP (Conselho Regional de Corretores de Imóveis de São Paulo) since 2010 and certified by CRC-SP (Conselho Regional de Contabilidade). He is also an accredited Autonomous Investment Agent (AAI) with the Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM).
• Business Ventures: Najm has been associated with 15 companies in São Paulo, Brazil, with a combined capital of approximately R$2.036 million. His enterprises include real estate, financial advisory, and administrative support services, with some companies now inactive.
• Criminal Allegations: Najm is accused of leading a criminal organization in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, involved in money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal currency exchange, allegedly moving over R$22 billion illicitly over seven years. He was a target of the Brazilian Federal Police’s Operation Octopus, arrested in the Dominican Republic in November 2022.
• Legal Issues: Najm is linked to 19 legal processes in São Paulo, involving disputes with entities like Banco Santander and the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (RFB). These include civil and financial disputes, as well as criminal investigations related to his alleged illicit activities.
• Family Involvement: Several family members, including his brother Melik Najm, sister Myca Najm Junqueira Franco, and other relatives, are implicated in the same criminal organization, with some arrested or placed under house arrest.
• Risk Profile: High financial, legal, and reputational risks due to ongoing criminal investigations, legal disputes, and the scale of alleged illicit financial activities.

Overview

Mohamad Kassem Najm is a Brazilian businessman and real estate professional based in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo. Public records indicate that he began his career in the real estate sector in 2010, obtaining certification from CRECI-SP, the regional council for real estate brokers in São Paulo. Additionally, he holds credentials from the CRC-SP as a certified accountant and is registered as an Autonomous Investment Agent (AAI) with the CVM, enabling him to provide investment consulting services. His professional profile, as presented on platforms like mohamadkassemnajm.com and heonium.com, emphasizes his expertise in real estate investments, particularly in luxury properties, and his ability to serve both individual and institutional investors.

Najm has been involved in multiple business ventures, primarily in real estate, financial advisory, and administrative services. According to transparency.cc, he is associated with 15 companies registered with the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (RFB), with 13 classified as “Matriz” (headquarters) and two as branches. Notable companies include NKL Imóveis Ltda (founded in 2011, now inactive) and Wave Serviços e Cobranças EIRELI (founded in 2018, active). The total capital of these enterprises is approximately R$2.036 million. His business activities span real estate brokerage, financial consulting, and intermediary services, with some entities reportedly used as fronts for illicit activities.

Despite his professional credentials, Najm’s reputation has been severely impacted by allegations of leading a criminal organization involved in significant financial crimes. These allegations, detailed in the Brazilian Federal Police’s Operation Octopus, have shifted public perception from that of a successful entrepreneur to a suspected orchestrator of a large-scale money laundering scheme.

Allegations and Concerns

Mohamad Kassem Najm faces serious allegations stemming from Operation Octopus, a joint investigation by the Brazilian Federal Police (PF) and the Ministério Público Federal (MPF), launched in September 2022. The key accusations include:

• Money Laundering and Tax Evasion: Najm is accused of masterminding a criminal organization that illegally moved over R$22 billion (approximately US$4.2 billion at 2022 exchange rates) over seven years. The scheme allegedly involved laundering money through companies of facade, tax evasion, and illegal currency exchange (acting as a “doleiro” or black-market money dealer).
• Operation Octopus: Deflagrated on September 6, 2022, this operation targeted a network based in Ribeirão Preto, resulting in 36 arrests, including Najm’s family members. Najm was the only primary target not apprehended during the initial raids, having fled to the Dominican Republic. He was later detained by Interpol on November 27, 2022, at Santo Domingo’s airport and extradited to Brazil, where a warrant was executed upon his arrival in Guarulhos, São Paulo, on November 30, 2022.
• Use of Front Companies: Investigations revealed that Najm and associates used companies registered in their names or those of relatives and friends to obscure illicit transactions. These entities facilitated the movement of funds from illegal activities, including the sale of untaxed electronics imported from China and the US via Paraguay.
• Cryptocurrency Involvement: The operation led to the seizure of US$250,000 (R$1.3 million) in cryptocurrencies, indicating the use of digital assets to further conceal financial flows.

These allegations raise significant concerns about Najm’s business practices, suggesting a dual persona: a legitimate real estate professional and an alleged leader of a sophisticated criminal network.

Customer Feedback

Due to the nature of Najm’s businesses and the prominence of criminal allegations, direct consumer reviews are scarce in publicly available sources. Positive feedback, primarily from promotional content on websites like mohamadkassemnajm.com and heonium.com, highlights his expertise and professionalism:

• Positive Feedback: Articles on these platforms praise Najm’s “vast knowledge” and “over a decade of experience” in real estate investments. For example, a 2022 article on mohamadkassemnajm.com titled “Corretor de imóveis fala sobre impacto da IA no setor” quotes Najm discussing the role of artificial intelligence in real estate, positioning him as a forward-thinking professional. Similarly, a piece on “Entenda as diferenças entre terreno e lote” presents him as an authoritative figure in property investment.
• Negative Feedback: No specific negative consumer reviews are documented in the available sources, likely due to the focus on legal and criminal matters rather than client interactions. However, the scale of alleged financial crimes and the involvement of family members in the scheme have led to widespread negative media coverage, particularly from outlets like EPTV and G1, which describe him as a “fugitive” and “leader of a criminal organization.” This coverage implies a loss of trust among potential clients or partners.

The lack of direct customer testimonials may reflect the niche nature of Najm’s services or the overshadowing impact of his legal troubles. The absence of negative reviews does not necessarily indicate satisfaction but may suggest limited public engagement with his services post-arrest.

Risk Considerations

Engaging with Mohamad Kassem Najm or his associated businesses carries significant risks across multiple domains:

• Financial Risk: The alleged movement of R$22 billion through illicit channels suggests potential exposure for investors or partners. Funds tied to Najm’s companies may be subject to seizure or freezing, as evidenced by the US$250,000 cryptocurrency blockade. His businesses’ reliance on front companies increases the risk of financial loss due to fraudulent practices.
• Legal Risk: Najm’s involvement in 19 legal processes, including disputes with Banco Santander and federal investigations, indicates a high likelihood of ongoing or future litigation. Associating with him could lead to legal scrutiny or entanglement in criminal proceedings.
• Reputational Risk: The public nature of Operation Octopus and Najm’s arrest by Interpol have severely damaged his reputation. Media outlets like G1 and ACidade ON have labeled him a “doleiro” and “criminal leader,” making business associations with him potentially toxic for reputable firms or individuals.
• Operational Risk: Several of Najm’s companies, such as NKL Imóveis Ltda, are inactive, suggesting instability or deliberate dissolution to avoid scrutiny. Active companies like Wave Serviços e Cobranças EIRELI may face operational challenges due to ongoing investigations.

These risks are compounded by the involvement of family members in the alleged scheme, suggesting a tightly knit network that may complicate due diligence.

Business Relations and Associations

Mohamad Kassem Najm’s business activities involve a network of associates, many of whom are family members or close partners, as detailed in transparency.cc and consultasocio.com:

• Family Members:
  • Melik Najm: Brother, implicated in the same criminal organization, with a history of co-ownership in companies like NKL Imóveis Ltda and Mohamad Kassem Najm e Outros. Arrested during Operation Octopus and linked to R$264 million in suspicious transactions.
  • Myca Najm Junqueira Franco: Sister, also arrested and placed under house arrest due to having minor children. She was a partner in NKL Assessoria Financeira Ltda and other entities.
  • Danielle Gerolin Najm: Melik’s wife, arrested and under house arrest, involved in the same financial schemes.
  • Luiz Felipe Junqueira Franco: Myca’s husband, arrested as part of the operation.
  • Charife Najm: Another relative, associated with NKL Imóveis Ltda and Mohamad Kassem Najm e Outros.
• Other Associates:
  • Mayca: A frequent business partner across multiple companies, including NKL Consultoria e Contabilidade Ltda and NKL Participação Imobiliária Ltda.
  • Manti, Mdn, Trap: Listed as partners in various companies, such as Trap Intermediação de Negócios Ltda and RS8 Serviços de Apoio Administrativo Ltda.
• Companies:
  • NKL Imóveis Ltda: Founded in 2011, now inactive, was a key real estate entity.
  • Wave Serviços e Cobranças EIRELI: Active since 2018, focused on administrative and collection services.
  • NKL Assessoria Financeira Ltda: A financial advisory firm linked to illicit activities.

These associations, particularly with family members, suggest a closely coordinated network, which investigators allege was used to facilitate money laundering through interconnected businesses.

Legal and Financial Concerns

Najm’s legal entanglements are extensive, as documented by sources like Jusbrasil and Escavador:

• Legal Processes: Najm is linked to 19 legal processes, primarily in São Paulo, with four additional cases elsewhere in Brazil. Key parties involved include:
  • Banco Santander (Brasil) S/A: Filed a monitory action against Najm for a debt of R$136,904.22, indicating financial disputes.
  • Eugenio Carlo Balliano Malavasi: Appears in multiple processes, suggesting recurring legal conflicts.
  • União Federal and Juízo Federal da 1ª Vara de São Paulo: Involved in federal cases, likely related to tax evasion or financial crimes.
• Criminal Investigations: The Operation Octopus investigation accuses Najm and his associates of operating a criminal network involving tax evasion, money laundering, and illegal currency exchange. The scheme allegedly used front companies and “laranja” (nominee) accounts to obscure funds.
• Financial Concerns: The combined capital of Najm’s companies (R$2.036 million) contrasts with the alleged R$22 billion in illicit transactions, suggesting significant discrepancies. The seizure of cryptocurrencies and assets like luxury cars and jewelry further indicates financial irregularities.
• Bankruptcy and Inactivity: Several of Najm’s companies, such as NKL Imóveis Ltda and NKL Assessoria Financeira Ltda, are listed as “baixada” (inactive), potentially to evade scrutiny or due to financial insolvency.

These concerns highlight a pattern of legal and financial instability, with significant implications for anyone engaging with Najm or his businesses.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Mohamad Kassem Najm presents a complex profile: a credentialed real estate and investment professional with a seemingly legitimate career, overshadowed by serious criminal allegations. His qualifications (CRECI-SP, CRC-SP, CVM) and decade-long experience suggest competence in real estate and financial advisory services, potentially making him an attractive partner for investors. However, the allegations of leading a R$22 billion money laundering scheme, coupled with his arrest and extensive legal troubles, render him a high-risk individual for business or investment purposes.

Pros:

• Extensive experience in real estate and investment consulting.
• Registered with reputable regulatory bodies (CRECI-SP, CRC-SP, CVM).
• Diverse business portfolio, with active companies in administrative services.

Cons:

• Accused of orchestrating a massive criminal organization, with credible evidence from federal investigations.
• Legal entanglements, including 19 processes and disputes with major institutions like Banco Santander.
• Negative media coverage and loss of public trust, impacting reputational reliability.
• Family-centric business network, increasing the risk of coordinated illicit activities.

Cautionary Advice: Engaging with Mohamad Kassem Najm or his companies is highly inadvisable at this time. The scale of alleged financial crimes, ongoing legal proceedings, and seizure of assets pose significant risks. Potential partners or investors should conduct thorough due diligence, verify the status of his active companies, and consult legal experts to avoid entanglement in criminal or financial liabilities. Monitoring updates from the Brazilian Federal Police and judicial outcomes is critical before considering any association.

Key Citations

• Transparency.cc, Mohamad Kassem Najm Business Associations
• Escavador, Mohamad Kassem Najm Legal Processes
• G1, Articles on Operation Octopus and Najm’s Arrest
• ACidade ON Ribeirão Preto, Coverage of Najm’s Criminal Allegations
• EPTV/Globoplay, Reports on Money Laundering Scheme: https://globoplay.globo.com
• Heonium, Mohamad Kassem Najm Professional Profile: https://www.heonium.com
• Cybercriminal.com, Investigation on Mohamad Kassem Najm: https://cybercriminal.com/investigation/mohamad-kassem-najm