Who Is Gaurav Srivastava? Indian-Origin Businessman Accused of Posing As CIA Agent To Secure Indonesia Defence Deals

An Indian-origin businessman accused of posing as a CIA agent allegedly managed to get preliminary defence deals worth billions of dollars in Indonesia after developing ties with senior officials, including now-Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, according to a joint investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Indonesian publication Tempo.

How Srivastava Built Ties With Prabowo Subianto

Gaurav Srivastava built a relationship with Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto when he was the country's defence minister, the investigation found. Srivastava introduced himself to Indonesian officials and business figures as a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent, as per Tempo. The report said he developed a relationship with Prabowo, who reportedly nicknamed him "Mr G".

Dutch oil trader Niels Troost said he accompanied Srivastava to Prabowo Subianto's residence at the Garuda Yaksa estate in Hambalang, West Java, in mid-2022, Tempo reported. Troost told the publication that Srivastava claimed he frequently visited and stayed at Prabowo Subianto's place. During the drive, Srivastava allegedly said he helped identify those responsible for the 2002 Bali bombings and played a role in getting Prabowo removed from a long-standing US immigration blacklist. He was on the list for around two decades over allegations linked to human rights abuses during his military career. Meenu Batra Detained by ICE: Indian-Origin Interpreter Faces Deportation Despite 35 Years in US.

Troost also alleged that Srivastava spoke about Prabowo Subianto's habits, known only to his close ones, before they arrived at the house, including his belief that spider webs inside the house should not be removed because they were part of nature.

Preliminary Defence Procurement Agreements Worth Billions

Between 2020 and 2022, companies controlled by Srivastava secured five preliminary agreements from Indonesia's Defence Ministry and a state owned defence company, according to the OCCRP-Tempo investigation. The ministry issued three Letters of Intention to Purchase in 2020, followed by another letter of intent and a memorandum of understanding in 2021 and 2022. Mahender Makhijani Arrested in US: Indian-Origin Financier Held for Using S*x Parties and Shell Companies To Defraud Bank of USD 100 Million.

The proposed deals included 36 F-15 fighter jets, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, C-130 transport aircraft and a joint operations command and control centre for Indonesia's Defence Ministry. Photos reviewed by the investigators showed Srivastava attending signing ceremonies with Prabowo and executives from one of his companies.

Indonesia, however, did not move forward with any of the proposed purchases.

Defence Ministry Confirms Agreements, Calls Them Non-Binding

Defence Ministry spokesperson Rico Sirait confirmed the preliminary agreements but told Tempo they were not legally binding.

"The entire process of Indonesian defence cooperation and procurement is always carried out with utmost caution, prioritising the principles of good governance, national interest, and compliance with applicable mechanisms and regulations," Sirait said.

In 2022, the US approved the potential sale of 36 F-15 fighter jets and related equipment to Indonesia in a package valued at about USD 13.9 billion. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency's announcement did not mention Srivastava's companies.

Companies Involved Were Shell Firms, Later Deregistered

According to the investigation, corporate records show that the four firms controlled by Srivastava that received the agreements were shell companies. The report said all four companies were later deregistered after failing to pay taxes. It also reported that Srivastava developed business ties with Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Prabowo's younger brother and chairman of the Arsari Group.

According to Tempo, Srivastava had already faced legal disputes in California before expanding his business activities in Indonesia.

Srivastava Denies Allegations

Srivastava has denied allegations that he falsely claimed to be a CIA agent, calling them "gross fabrications" on his website.

Dutch Trader Calls Him 'A Brazen Con Man'

Troost has filed civil lawsuits in California and the Southern District of New York, alleging that Srivastava falsely claimed to work for the CIA. The complaints cite recorded phone calls in which Srivastava allegedly made those claims.

Troost said he transferred a 50% stake in his company to Srivastava because he believed he had genuine intelligence connections. In court filings, he described Srivastava as "a brazen con man of remarkable skill."

Troost's complaint also alleges that Srivastava arranged a USD 51 million loan from their company to the Arsari Group, telling him the money would fund a covert US government programme. Instead, he allegedly persuaded the Arsari Group to transfer nearly half the loan to him and used the money to buy a USD 25 million mansion in Los Angeles. The complaint further alleges that he tried to obtain the rest of the loan, but the Arsari Group refused.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2026 05:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).