Los Angeles: Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in Los Angeles are probing the actions of Gaurav Srivastava, an Indian-origin man accused of posing as a CIA agent to defraud Congressmen, traders, and even interact with President Joe Biden. He faces charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and falsifying his identity as a US federal official and citizen, an investigation by the Wall Street Journal reports.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a detailed report by Joe Wallace of the Wall Street Journal titled “A Fake Spy, Russian Oil and $1 million Funneled to Democrats” outlines Srivastava’s extensive fraudulent activities. The report depicts him as a threat to US national security, having manipulated the American political and security systems over several years. Srivastava, originally from Lucknow, India, dropped out of college before embarking on his elaborate scam, which involved significant political donations and interactions with high-level political figures.
The Wall Street Journal’s investigation, based on legal documents, financial records, and interviews, reveals that Srivastava falsely claimed to be a covert CIA operative to gain access to influential circles in Washington D.C. and abroad. His scam included donations exceeding $1 million to Democratic entities, leveraging these contributions to cement his fabricated identity as a government operative.
Among those deceived by Srivastava were notable figures such as General Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO; the Atlantic Council; and multiple US Senators and Congressmen. His fraudulent activities extended beyond the US, involving interactions with African leaders and the President of Indonesia, all under the guise of his supposed CIA role.
The scam began to unravel following skepticism from Niels Troost, a Geneva-based trader, who stumbled upon a trail of fraud allegations against Srivastava. Troost’s suspicions led to further investigations, revealing that Srivastava’s claims of facilitating sanctioned Russian oil trades as part of a CIA-approved program were entirely fabricated. This scheme involved a deceptive setup where Srivastava and his accomplices attempted to extract financial and business concessions under false pretenses.
The Wall Street Journal also detailed Srivastava’s attempts to manipulate legal systems to suppress reporting of his activities. He engaged in fraudulent tactics to challenge the publication of investigative articles that exposed his actions, illustrating his efforts to control the narrative surrounding his activities.
Recent legal actions in California have intensified, with multiple lawsuits filed against Srivastava and his wife for fraud and deceit. This legal scrutiny coincides with growing recognition of the threats posed by such fraudulent activities to national security and the integrity of international diplomatic and business relations.
The case continues to develop as more individuals and institutions acknowledge the extent of Srivastava’s deception and take steps to sever ties and address the repercussions of his widespread scam.
Source: Kashmir Media Service