A bombshell lawsuit has been filed against an Indian businessman, Gaurav Srivastava, who is accused of posing as a deep-cover CIA operative in an elaborate scheme to steal millions from a Dutch oil trader, Niels Troost.
The lawsuit, filed by Troost under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, alleges that for over five years, Srivastava led a criminal enterprise that defrauded Troost and other victims by convincing them he was a high-level CIA agent. Srivastava is said to have fabricated tales of international intrigue, including being held hostage by ISIS and conducting covert missions, all to extract money, access, and influence.
According to the complaint, Srivastava used his purported CIA connections to assure Troost that he could help him avoid US sanctions on Russian oil trading. In 2022, Srivastava convinced Troost to sell him half of his company, Paramount Energy & Commodities, at a steep discount, claiming it was necessary to ensure government support.
However, the lawsuit alleges that Srivastava is not a CIA operative and has never been affiliated with the agency. It states that he is not even a US citizen, but “simply a fraud” who used his fabricated persona to siphon tens of millions of dollars from Troost and other victims.
The complaint outlines how Srivastava went to great lengths to maintain his false image, setting up an LA office that mimicked a government workspace, complete with the Great Seal of the United States and customised ceremonial swords he claimed were gifts from senior officials.
Troost’s lawsuit also accuses Srivastava of launching a “malicious smear campaign” against him, hiring the Arkin Group, a corporate intelligence firm run by former CIA operatives, to spread false allegations that Troost had criminal ties to Russia.
The scandal has drawn in a host of high-profile figures, including President Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former NATO commander General Wesley Clark, all of whom Srivastava is alleged to have claimed connections with.
Troost’s company is now in liquidation, and he is seeking the return of all funds “wrongfully obtained” by Srivastava, as well as punitive and treble damages. Srivastava has not yet formally responded to the allegations.
