An Indian origin businessman has been accused of posing as a CIA agent to get preliminary defence deals worth a billion dollars in Indonesia after developing ties with senior officials.
The accused Gaurav Srivastava built a relationship with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto while he was serving as Defence Minister, according to an investigation by Indonesian media outlet Tempo.
The report states that Srivastava introduced himself to officials and business leaders as a CIA operative, and he was nicknamed Mr G by Prabow.
His reported objective was to gain highly lucrative top-tier defence procurement contracts.
Who is Gaurav Srivastava?
According to the Tempo investigation, Neil Troost, a Dutch oil executive, first met Srivastava when his company was facing sanctions for trading Russian oil. The businessman introduced himself as a CIA agent operating under “non-official cover” alongside high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Warren Buffett.
Indonesian political and business elites reportedly readily accepted Srivastava as an American spy.
He had also claimed to have close ties to former NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Wesley Clark and White House officials, giving him credibility.
Srivastava reportedly used his charisma to become close friends with the Indonesian leadership.
During the Global Food Security Forum in Bali in November 2022, Srivastava introduced Prabowo as a “dearest friend,” a sentiment Prabowo warmly reciprocated.
His entrance into Prabowo’s inner circle happened during a 2022 visit to Garuda Yaksa Prabowo’s residence in Hambalang, West Java. Srivastava reportedly gifted him a massive wooden eagle statue, which he claimed was a tribute ot the US and the CIA.
Troost recalled to Tempo that Srivastava allegedly said that 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. The Indonesian leader was on the list for alleged human rights abuses during his military career.
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 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.
Indonesia reportedly did not move forward with any of the proposed purchases.
The investigation showed that the four forms controlled by Srivastava that received the agreements were shell companies,
All four companies were later deregistered after they failed to pay taxes.
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 $13.9 billion. Srivastava’s companies were not mentioned in the US Department of Defence's announcement.
Srivastava also developed business ties to Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Prabowo's younger brother and chairman of the Arsari Group.
Troost filed civil lawsuits against Srivastava, alleging that he falsely claimed to work for the CIA.
The complaints cite recorded phone calls of Srivastava making the claim.
Troost said he transferred a 50 per cent stake in his company to the businessman after believing him.
He described Srivastava as "a brazen con man of remarkable skill” in his court filings.
Troost also alleged that Srivastava arranged a $51 million loan from their company to the Arsari Group. Srivastava reportedly said the money would fund a covert US government programme. However, he persuaded the Arsari group to transfer half the sum to him and used it to buy a $25 million mansion in Los Angeles.
Srivastava has rejected all the allegations. On his website, he denied presenting himself as a CIA officer and described the accusation as gross fabrications.
The case has brought attention to safeguards surrounding international defence procurements and the influence of intermediaries.
None of the proposed Indonesian defence deals was completed. However the the involvement of senior officials and political figures has brought interest to the case.
