Indian-origin businessman accused of posing as CIA operative to secure Indonesia defence deals

New Delhi: An Indian-origin businessman, Gaurav Srivastava, is accused of posing as a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative and leveraging high-level political connections to secure preliminary defence agreements worth billions of dollars with Indonesia, according to an investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

Srivastava, however, has denied the allegations, calling them “gross fabrications” and part of a “disinformation campaign” by his former business partner, Niels Troost.

Allegations of CIA claims and political access

Civil lawsuits filed in California and the Southern District of New York allege that Srivastava claimed in recorded phone calls that he worked for the CIA. These claims, the filings say, helped him gain access to senior Indonesian officials, including then-Defence Minister and current President Prabowo Subianto.

According to the complaints, Srivastava attended high-level meetings in Washington DC and Jakarta in 2020, where military procurement discussions were held.

Defence deals and preliminary agreements

Between 2020 and 2022, companies linked to Srivastava reportedly secured multiple letters of intent and memorandums of understanding from Indonesia’s Defence Ministry and a state-owned defence firm.

The proposed deals included potential purchases of 36 F-15 fighter jets, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, C-130 transport aircraft and a joint defence command system.

However, reports note that none of the agreements were finalised or led to actual purchases by the Indonesian government.

A 2022 US approval for a possible $13.9 billion F-15 sale to Indonesia was also separate from the agreements linked to Srivastava’s firms.

Shell companies and financial allegations

Investigations cited corporate records showing that the firms involved were shell entities with no prior defence procurement experience and were later deregistered for failing to pay taxes.

The lawsuits further allege that Srivastava’s former partner transferred a 50% stake in a company to him, believing he was a well-connected operative of CIA.

He is also accused of arranging a $51 million loan involving their company and an Indonesian business group, part of which was allegedly diverted for personal use, including the purchase of a luxury property in Los Angeles.
 

Links to Indonesian political and business figures

The complaint states that Srivastava developed ties with influential Indonesian figures, including Hashim Djojohadikusumo, brother of President Prabowo Subianto and chairman of the Arsari Group.

He was also photographed at a signing ceremony alongside Indonesian officials, including Prabowo, during the period when preliminary agreements were announced.

Indonesia’s Defence Ministry has confirmed the existence of preliminary agreements but clarified that they were non-binding and did not constitute final contracts.

Denials and ongoing legal disputes

Srivastava has denied all allegations, stating that claims of impersonating a CIA agent are false and part of a targeted smear campaign.

Troost, meanwhile, has described Srivastava in court filings as a “brazen con man of remarkable skill”.

The legal disputes remain ongoing in US courts, while Indonesian authorities are reportedly reviewing related financial transactions.