Ghaziabad, NCR — In a dramatic takedown, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested Harshvardhan Jain for operating a fake embassy from a posh bungalow in Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad — right under the radar for nearly seven years.
Jain’s setup had all the trappings of a legitimate diplomatic mission: a lavish residence doubling as the "embassy", high-end vehicles including an Audi and a Mercedes bearing fake diplomatic number plates, and carefully curated appearances to fool visitors. What made it even more audacious was that the "embassy" represented a so-called micronation — West Arctica — which is not recognised by any government in the world.
According to investigators, Jain falsely claimed to be the consul or ambassador for several fictitious states, including West Arctica, Saborga, Poulvia, and Lodonia. The elaborate scam came to an end on Tuesday when the UP Police Special Task Force uncovered the truth and placed him under arrest.
A well-educated conman, Jain holds an MBA from the London College of Applied Science and is also an alumnus of ITS College in Ghaziabad. Originally from a wealthy business family that operated marble mines in Rajasthan, Jain's fortunes reportedly declined after his father's death. It was during this period that he came into contact with controversial spiritual leader Chandraswami, who allegedly helped him relocate to London and establish multiple shell companies.
These companies, according to probe agencies, were likely used to funnel unaccounted money. Early investigations also suggest that Jain had connections with notorious international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi.
Following the death of Chandraswami, Jain returned to India and launched his fake diplomatic mission in Ghaziabad. In an attempt to appear credible, he allegedly doctored photographs to show himself alongside prominent Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
This isn’t Jain’s first run-in with the law. In 2011, he was booked at the Kavi Nagar police station for possession of illegal satellite phones, according to UP Police ADG (Law & Order) Amitabh Yash.
Authorities are now delving deeper into the extent of Jain’s fraud and the number of people who may have been duped by his diplomatic masquerade.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)