An Indian-origin businessman is accused of $500 million fraud by a BlackRock-backed lender: Report


Brahmbhatt is accused of orchestrating a large loan-fraud operation by fabricating customers and revenues to secure financing from major American lenders. The scheme involved presenting fake receivables and non-existent revenue streams to private-credit partners that relied heavily on borrower-provided data, allowing him to access substantial capital without legitimate business flow. His companies, Broadband Telecom and Bridgevoice, are now under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, signaling insolvency and an attempt to reorganize operations while negotiating repayment structures. Brahmbhatt himself also sought personal bankruptcy, which indicates the scale of financial exposure and his inability to satisfy creditors.

The case came to public attention through lenders who filed a lawsuit, alleging systematic deception and collateral fabrication. HPS Investment Partners, backed by BlackRock, acted as a key lending entity, gradually increasing its commitment from the initial lending period in 2020 to hundreds of millions of dollars by 2024. According to reporting, BNP Paribas played a major funding role, co-financing the loans through credit vehicles managed by HPS. The lenders assert that confidence was breached when pledged assets and expected cash flows proved to be fraudulent constructs rather than genuine commercial activity.

This scenario highlights vulnerabilities in the rapidly expanding private-credit market, where underwriting often depends on projected cash flows rather than physical collateral or verified earnings. Analysts note that similar collapses in firms like First Brands and Tricolor illustrate the rising frequency of alleged fraud in this segment, reflecting structural weaknesses and aggressive risk-taking behavior from credit funds seeking higher yields. Private-lending platforms can be exposed when due diligence processes fail to detect manipulated financial statements or synthetic revenue channels.

Investigators have been unable to locate Brahmbhatt at his reported business site or residential property, creating uncertainty regarding his current location. Some parties involved in the matter fear he may have left the United States, though his legal representative rejects all claims and maintains that the allegations lack factual basis. The locked office and unoccupied home further fuel speculation about his movements and intentions, according to individuals who observed the premises.

Regulatory and legal scrutiny is likely to intensify as this case unfolds. Creditors will seek asset recovery while the court evaluates restructuring proposals under Chapter 11 procedures. The outcome will inform future risk-management practices across private-credit institutions, especially in sectors where revenues are difficult to independently verify. The dispute signals a growing tension in markets chasing yield: rapid credit expansion without robust oversight can enable financial misconduct on a large scale, and consequences follow when the structure collapses under auditing pressure.


 

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