Indian-Origin Man Arrested for Posing as CIA Agent in Indonesia Defence Deal Scam

Indian-Origin Businessman Accused of Posing as CIA Agent to Pursue Indonesia Defence Deals

An Indian-origin businessman allegedly posed as a US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative to cultivate ties with Indonesia’s political leadership and secure access to multibillion-dollar defence projects, according to an investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

The businessman, identified as Gaurav Srivastava, is accused of using the false identity to build relationships with senior Indonesian officials, including President Prabowo Subianto, who served as the country’s defence minister at the time.

According to the OCCRP report, Srivastava accompanied Prabowo to meetings in Washington, DC, and Jakarta in 2020, where discussions reportedly included fighter aircraft purchases and other defence acquisitions. The report alleges that he referred to himself as “Mr G” and claimed to have connections within the CIA.

Allegations Based on Civil Lawsuits

The allegations stem from civil lawsuits filed in California and New York by Srivastava’s former business partner, Niels Troost, who claims he granted Srivastava a 50 per cent stake in his company.

Court filings cited in the report allege that Srivastava repeatedly claimed to work for the CIA and used that assertion to gain credibility with senior Indonesian officials and business leaders.

He is also accused of telling associates that he had helped identify those responsible for the 2002 Bali bombings and had played a role in removing Prabowo from a US immigration blacklist—claims that have not been independently verified.

Defence Agreements Under Scrutiny

According to the report, Srivastava secured three Letters of Intent (LOIs) from Indonesia in 2020 covering potential purchases of fighter jets and other military equipment. Two additional preliminary agreements—a Letter of Intent and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—were reportedly signed in 2021 and 2022.

Between 2020 and 2022, four companies linked to Srivastava allegedly entered into five preliminary defence agreements with Indonesia’s Defence Ministry and a state-owned defence company.

The proposed projects reportedly included the acquisition of 36 F-15 fighter aircraft, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, C-130 transport aircraft and the development of a military command-and-control centre.

Shell Company Allegations

The OCCRP report alleges that the companies connected to Srivastava were shell entities with no prior experience in defence procurement.

It also notes that when the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved the potential sale of up to 36 F-15 fighter jets and related equipment to Indonesia in 2022—valued at as much as $13.9 billion—none of Srivastava’s companies were identified as participants in the official transaction.

The allegations against Srivastava are based on court filings and the OCCRP investigation. There has been no public indication that he has been convicted of any criminal offence in connection with the claims.