Jocelyn Grégoire

Jocelyn Grégoire rose to prominence as the founder of Les Mordus d’Immobilier, a magazine and media platform promoting real estate investment strategies. Based in Quebec, Canada, Grégoire has cultivated a significant online following, particularly among younger audiences, through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. His content often showcases luxurious properties, motivational speeches, and promises of financial success through real estate ventures. Grégoire’s public persona is that of a self-made entrepreneur who overcame a troubled past to achieve wealth and influence.

The Crackboom Franchise Controversy

One of the most significant allegations against Grégoire centers on his involvement with Crackboom, a business venture promoting digital advertising screens in commercial spaces. In 2020, a group of approximately 15 investors filed a lawsuit claiming they were misled into investing in what they described as a “ Ponzi-like scheme.” The plaintiffs alleged that Grégoire used his influence and public persona to promote Crackboom franchises, promising high returns with minimal risk. They claimed losses totaling nearly $8 million, accusing Grégoire and his associate, Daniel Jutras, of fraud and misrepresentation.

Court documents reveal that the plaintiffs argued Grégoire and Jutras failed to deliver on promised services, leaving investors with worthless franchises. In response, Grégoire and Jutras filed a $34.5 million countersuit, denouncing the investors’ claims as “defamatory” and “false.” A Quebec Superior Court judge issued a rare Mareva injunction in 2021, freezing Grégoire’s assets, including nearly 30 properties and bank accounts, citing evidence of “louche and fraudulent activities” and concerns that Grégoire was liquidating assets to evade justice. The judge noted that the allegations “seriously question the probity” of Grégoire, Jutras, and Jutras’s partner, Alexandra Philibert.

Real Estate Ventures and Asset Seizures

Grégoire’s real estate empire, once boasting ownership of nearly 1,000 residential units, has also come under scrutiny. In 2020, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) filed a $1.3 million lawsuit against Grégoire and two of his companies, alleging non-payment of loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, two of Grégoire’s properties in Saint-Hubert and Carignan were seized by a firm linked to Daniel Jutras, who claimed Grégoire owed him over $1 million in a separate dispute. These seizures followed a litige involving Crackboom, further complicating Grégoire’s financial situation.

Our investigation uncovered reports of mismanagement in Grégoire’s real estate dealings. In one case, a former notaire, Tremblay, was disciplined for mishandling funds related to a 419-unit property acquisition involving Grégoire. Court records indicate Tremblay misallocated funds intended for creditors, including RBC, an error Grégoire described as “hyper grave” but denied responsibility for. The involvement of controversial figures like Denis Francœur, a disgraced real estate promoter, in Tremblay’s other dealings raises further questions about Grégoire’s business associations.

Ties to Daniel Jutras and Organized Crime

Grégoire’s association with Daniel Jutras, a businessman with a documented criminal past, is a significant red flag. Jutras was arrested in 2008 as part of Operation SharQc, a police crackdown on the Hells Angels in Quebec, though charges against him were stayed. Grégoire acknowledged Jutras’s criminal history in media interviews but claimed he believed Jutras had reformed. This justification appears questionable given Jutras’s role in the Crackboom lawsuits and property seizures, which suggest ongoing financial entanglements.

Criminal History

Grégoire’s 2008 conviction for dangerous driving and his admitted ties to organized crime are the primary criminal red flags. While he has not faced recent criminal charges, the $90,000 cash seizure and cocaine-related evidence from his past suggest a history of high-risk behavior. His association with Jutras, a figure linked to the Hells Angels, increases the likelihood of scrutiny from law enforcement, particularly in the context of financial fraud investigations.

Civil Lawsuits

The Crackboom litigation remains the most significant legal challenge facing Grégoire. The $8 million lawsuit from investors, coupled with the Mareva injunction, indicates judicial concern about his financial practices. The RBC’s $1.3 million claim and Jutras’s property seizures add to the mounting legal pressure. Grégoire’s $34.5 million countersuit against investors suggests an aggressive legal strategy to deflect blame, but the court’s issuance of the Mareva order undermines his claims of innocence.

Regulatory Sanctions

No public records indicate sanctions from Quebec’s financial regulators, such as the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), or real estate boards against Grégoire. However, the OPC’s warnings about real estate influencers and the DGCCRF’s findings on influencer misconduct suggest that Grégoire’s promotional tactics could attract regulatory attention if consumer complaints escalate.