A controversial businessman, Gaurav Srivastava, is alleged to have posed as a CIA agent while cultivating ties with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, securing non-binding agreements worth tens of billions of dollars for fighter jets and military equipment.
Srivastava did not respond to requests for comment. On his website, he called the allegations “gross fabrications” spread by former business partner Niels Troost, who was once sanctioned by the U.K., EU, and Switzerland for trading Russian oil. Those sanctions have since been lifted by the EU and Switzerland.
Civil lawsuits filed by Troost in California and New York reference recorded phone calls where Srivastava allegedly claimed CIA ties. Troost, in his California case, described Srivastava as a “brazen con man of remarkable skill.”
In 2020, Srivastava joined Prabowo, then defense minister, in high-level meetings in Washington and Jakarta to discuss military procurement. He obtained three “Letters of Intention to Purchase” that year, followed by additional preliminary agreements in 2021 and 2022. None resulted in actual purchases.
A Defense Ministry spokesperson confirmed the letters existed but stressed they were non-binding, emphasizing that all procurement follows strict governance and regulations.
Troost alleged that Srivastava frequently stayed at Prabowo’s homes during the period. Prabowo did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Between 2020 and 2022, Srivastava’s companies secured five preliminary agreements with Indonesia’s Defense Ministry and a state-owned defense firm. These covered potential deals for 36 F-15 fighter jets, Black Hawk helicopters, C-130 transport planes, and a command center. In 2022, the U.S. government approved a potential $13.9 billion sale of F-15s and spare parts to Indonesia.
Corporate records show the four companies involved were shell companies with no defense procurement experience. All have since been deregistered for failing to pay taxes. The U.S. announcement did not mention these firms.
Srivastava also developed ties with Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Prabowo’s brother and chairman of the Arsari Group. Troost claims he transferred 50% of a company to Srivastava, believing he had CIA connections. Srivastava then allegedly orchestrated a $51 million loan from their joint company to the Arsari Group, portraying it as a covert U.S. program. According to the complaint, Srivastava convinced the group to send almost half to him, which he used to buy a $25 million Los Angeles mansion. The group refused his request for the remaining funds.
Indonesia’s money laundering authority is investigating the transaction. Hashim did not respond to comment requests.
Srivastava has accused Troost of running a “scorched-earth disinformation campaign” through legal complaints across multiple countries.