A US corporate intelligence firm has withdrawn its legal claim against a sanctioned European oil trader after stating it was deceived by a client accused of posing as a CIA spy. The settlement resolves a long-running dispute between Dutch trader Niels Troost and his former partner Gaurav Srivastava, who allegedly falsely claimed to be a covert operative with the CIA. Troost was sanctioned by the UK in 2024 for trading Russian crude above G7 price caps; EU lifted sanctions earlier this year.

Srivastava allegedly promised Troost access to a secret CIA-backed commodity trading programme in exchange for half of Paramount Energy and Commodities. Arkin Group, founded by CIA veteran Jack Devine, initially accused Troost of fabricating claims against Srivastava. However, after reviewing recordings showing Srivastava claiming intelligence ties, Arkin acknowledged misled and withdrew statements.

The joint statement confirmed the recordings are authentic. The case highlights complexities in corporate intelligence and influence campaigns.