Gaurav Srivastava

Full Report

Key Points

• Subject: Gaurav Srivastava, an Indian businessman accused of posing as a CIA agent to perpetrate fraud.

• Criminal Allegations: Under FBI investigation in Los Angeles for wire fraud, money laundering, and falsely representing himself as a U.S. federal official and citizen.

• Fraudulent Activities: Allegedly deceived U.S. politicians, foreign leaders, and business figures by claiming CIA affiliations, notably defrauding Dutch oil trader Niels Troost.

• Political Influence: Donated over $1 million to Democratic Party entities and the Atlantic Council, gaining access to Washington’s elite, including a meeting with President Joe Biden.

• Legal Issues: Faces two fraud lawsuits in California and a separate suit for failing to vacate a leased property.

• Reputation Management: Attempted to suppress negative media through fraudulent copyright claims and lawsuits against publications.

• Counter-Narrative: One source claims Srivastava was targeted by a disinformation campaign, but this is outweighed by extensive allegations across multiple outlets.

Overview

Gaurav Srivastava is an Indian businessman and founder of the Gaurav and Sharon Srivastava Family Foundation, as well as chairman of Unity Resources Group. He gained notoriety for allegedly misrepresenting himself as a non-official cover (NOC) CIA operative to defraud high-profile individuals and organizations globally. Srivastava presented himself as a philanthropist and well-connected figure in Washington, D.C., leveraging significant political donations and a $1 million contribution to the Atlantic Council’s 2022 Global Food Security Forum to gain legitimacy. His activities, spanning the U.S., Africa, and Asia, involved fraudulent schemes targeting commodities traders, politicians, and international leaders, leading to an FBI investigation for wire fraud, money laundering, and impersonation of a U.S. federal official.

Allegations and Concerns

• Fraud and Impersonation: Srivastava is accused of posing as a CIA agent to deceive figures like General Wesley Clark, the Atlantic Council, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Patrick Ryan, and the President of Indonesia. He allegedly convinced Dutch oil trader Niels Troost to transfer 50% of his company, Paramount Energy & Commodities, by claiming CIA-backed protections.

• Wire Fraud and Money Laundering: The FBI is investigating Srivastava for using funds extracted from Troost’s company to finance political donations, a $24.5 million villa purchase in Pacific Palisades, and a new office.

• Reputation Suppression: Srivastava allegedly used fraudulent Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) claims to de-index expository articles from Google, creating backdated Tumblr blogs to falsely claim copyright infringement.

• Disinformation Counter-Claim: A December 2024 report suggests Srivastava was targeted by a disinformation campaign, portraying him as a “fake spy” to damage his reputation in commodities markets. This claim, presented at the OffshoreAlert London Conference, lacks corroboration and is contradicted by extensive evidence of fraud.

Customer Feedback

• No Direct Consumer Reviews: As an individual, not a business, Srivastava has no consumer feedback on platforms like Yelp or Google Reviews. However, his actions impacted business partners and organizations, who have expressed significant concerns.

• Negative Feedback from Associates: Niels Troost, a key victim, told the Wall Street Journal he feels “burned but takes solace in believing he wasn’t alone,” reflecting betrayal after Srivastava’s deception. The Atlantic Council terminated its relationship with Srivastava after discovering his lies, with no direct quotes but clear rejection of his integrity.

• Positive Feedback Absence: No positive testimonials are documented, though Srivastava paid for flattering articles on sites like LA Weekly and The Ritz Herald, titled “Five Ways to Get Involved in the Local Los Angeles Community” and “6 Lessons to Teach Your Kids Gratitude,” which are described as SEO-driven content mills to manipulate his online image.

Risk Considerations

• Legal Risk: Ongoing FBI investigation and multiple lawsuits indicate significant legal exposure, potentially leading to criminal charges or civil penalties.

• Reputational Risk: Srivastava’s public exposure as a fraudster has led to severed ties with high-profile entities, severely damaging his credibility in business and political circles.

• Financial Risk: Alleged misuse of funds and lawsuits, including one for unpaid rent, suggest financial instability or mismanagement. The $24.5 million villa purchase may face scrutiny in fraud investigations.

• National Security Risk: His fraudulent claims of CIA affiliation and access to Washington’s elite are seen as a potential threat to U.S. national security, amplifying scrutiny.

Business Relations and Associations

• Key Associations:

  • Niels Troost: Dutch oil trader defrauded by Srivastava, who rescinded agreements in May 2023 after uncovering the scam.

  • Nicolas Bravard: French financier, allegedly a “friend of the FBI,” acted as Srivastava’s proxy in the Troost deal.

  • Baker Hostetler: U.S. law firm that facilitated the fraudulent company share transfer; now faces a lawsuit for legal malpractice.

  • John Maguire: Former CIA officer who continued associating with Srivastava despite allegations.

  • Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe: Srivastava’s law firm, whose partner Charles Adams dismissed fraud inquiries.

  • Atlantic Council: Terminated ties with Srivastava after his $1 million donation was linked to deceit.

  • General Wesley Clark and Politicians: High-profile figures deceived by Srivastava, many of whom later distanced themselves.

• Disputed Association: The Srivastava Group, linked to a pro-India disinformation campaign, is not explicitly tied to Gaurav Srivastava, though the shared surname raises questions. No direct evidence connects them.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• FBI Investigation: Srivastava faces probes for wire fraud, money laundering, and impersonating a U.S. federal official, based on legal documents and financial records.

• California Lawsuits: Two fraud cases against Srivastava and his wife, Sharon, for fraudulent misrepresentations. A separate lawsuit by landlord Stephen McPherson accuses Srivastava of failing to vacate a $12 million Santa Monica home and owing rent.

• Past Legal Issues: From 2017–2019, Srivastava was involved in lawsuits over unlicensed medical devices, unpaid medical bills, and a failed multi-million-dollar business deal, indicating a history of financial disputes.

• Political Donations: Donated nearly $290,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and funds to the Biden Victory Fund, now frozen or in escrow due to fraud concerns.

• No Bankruptcy Records: No evidence of bankruptcy, but unpaid bills and lawsuits suggest financial strain.

Risk Assessment Table

Notes: High severity reflects active investigations and lawsuits. Critical trustworthiness risk stems from widespread deception and media suppression efforts.

Gaurav Srivastava’s case is a stark example of sophisticated fraud, leveraging fabricated CIA credentials to infiltrate elite political and business circles. His ability to donate over $1 million to the Democratic Party and Atlantic Council, meet President Biden, and deceive figures like General Wesley Clark underscores the audacity of his schemes. The unraveling of his fraud, sparked by Niels Troost’s suspicions, has led to an FBI investigation and multiple lawsuits, cementing Srivastava’s status as a significant legal and reputational liability. His attempts to suppress media coverage through fraudulent DMCA claims further highlight a pattern of deceit. However, a single source claims a disinformation campaign targeted Srivastava, suggesting possible exaggeration of his “fake spy” narrative. This claim lacks substantiation and is overshadowed by consistent allegations across reputable outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Project Brazen. Srivastava’s history of legal disputes and financial mismanagement from 2017–2019 reinforces concerns about his integrity.