Ghaziabad, July 28, 2025 – A shocking scam was cracked in Ghaziabad’s upscale Kavi Nagar when Uttar Pradesh’s Special Task Force (STF) arrested 47-year-old Harshvardhan Jain on July 23 for operating a fake embassy from a rented bungalow. Posing as a diplomat for nonexistent “micronations” like Westarctica, Seborga, Poulvia, and Ladonia, Jain allegedly duped people with promises of overseas jobs and business deals. The elaborate hoax, complete with forged diplomatic documents and luxury cars, has stunned locals and sparked a probe into possible links to a ₹300-crore fraud. Here’s the latest on this audacious controversy.
The Fake Embassy Operation
For nearly seven years, Harshvardhan Jain ran a so-called embassy from a two-story bungalow, adorned with flags of fictional nations and luxury cars like Audi and Mercedes parked outside, sporting fake diplomatic plates. A nameplate reading “H.E. HV Jain, Consul-General of Westarctica” added to the illusion. Jain claimed to represent micronations—unrecognized entities like Westarctica in Antarctica—and even invented a country called Poulvia. The STF raid on July 22 uncovered ₹44.7 lakh in cash, foreign currency, 12 forged diplomatic passports, 34 fake seals, and doctored photos of Jain with leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He allegedly used these props to lure victims with promises of international jobs and contracts, charging hefty fees for nonexistent opportunities.
Jain’s Background and Criminal Links
Harshvardhan Jain, son of Ghaziabad industrialist J.D. Jain, studied BBA locally and earned an MBA in London. After his father’s death and family financial troubles, Jain reportedly connected with controversial godman Chandraswami in 2000, who introduced him to arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and businessman Ahsan Ali Syed. These ties allegedly led to shell companies in London and Dubai, possibly linked to a ₹300-crore scam targeting Swiss firms. Jain returned to India in 2011 and faced arrest in 2012 for possessing an illegal satellite phone. After Chandraswami’s death, he set up the fake embassy in 2017, using it for hawala transactions and job frauds, police say.
Police Action and Seizures
The STF, acting on a tip-off, raided Jain’s Kavi Nagar residence late on July 22, arresting him around 11:30 PM. The haul included four luxury cars with fake diplomatic plates, 18 counterfeit number plates, two fake PAN cards, forged Ministry of External Affairs documents, and luxury watches worth crores. Investigators found evidence of 162 foreign trips, including 54 to the UAE, and 10 overseas bank accounts linked to Jain, hinting at a larger money-laundering network. The case has been handed to Kavi Nagar Police, with central agencies now probing international connections. Westarctica clarified Jain was only an “Honorary Consul,” not an ambassador, and condemned his actions.
Community Shock and Public Reaction
Locals in Kavi Nagar, just 100 meters from a police post, were stunned to learn of Jain’s scam. “He had guards and luxury cars; we thought he was a real diplomat,” said a local resident. Posts on X reflect public amazement at Jain’s audacity, with some calling it a “movie-like con” while others question how it went unnoticed for years. The controversy has raised concerns about lax oversight, especially given Jain’s prior 2012 arrest. His charity events, like community feasts, further masked his activities, winning trust in the neighborhood.
What’s Next for the Investigation?
The STF is digging deeper into Jain’s network, focusing on his overseas accounts and links to Ahsan Ali Syed, accused of similar scams. Charges include forgery, impersonation, and cheating under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with potential hawala and arms trade angles under scrutiny. Authorities are contacting victims to assess the scam’s scale, which may involve millions defrauded globally. This case highlights the need for better checks on diplomatic claims.
