On July 22, 2025, Uttar Pradesh’s Special Task Force (STF) carried out a raid in Ghaziabad’s Kavi Nagar locality, arresting Harshvardhan Vardhan Jain (age ~47) for operating a fake embassy out of a rented bungalow—posing as a diplomat for several non‑existent micronations. He offered fraudulent visa services, passports, and overseas jobs while running a cash hawala racket underneath the diplomatic façade.
The Diplomatic Fraud
Jain styled himself as “Ambassador Consul” or “Honorary Consigliere” for fictitious nations including Westarctica, Seborga, Lodonia/Ladonia, and Poulvia. From around 2016, he populated his compounds—first at KB‑35, later KB‑45—with luxury cars bearing fake diplomatic number plates, national flags, forged embassy seals, diplomatic and press ID cards, and morphed images showing him alongside prominent Indian leaders like PM Narendra Modi and APJ Abdul Kalam.
Seized Evidence
During the STF raid, authorities recovered:
- ₹44–44.7 lakh in cash (Indian and foreign currency)
- Four luxury vehicles fitted with fake blue diplomatic plates
- 18 counterfeit diplomatic license plates
- 12 forged passports in micronation names
- Dozens of fake seals, identity documents, PAN cards, press cards
- Digital devices, shell company documents, and imported luxury watches
Modus Operandi & Fraud Tactics
- Job Placement & Overseas Business Fraud: Jain promised clients overseas jobs, bank accounts, property opportunities—all tied to his fake diplomatic stature and shell company networks.
- Hawala Racket: Authorities revealed he operated an illegal money-transfer system through shell companies and forged documents.
- Visual Persuasion: The artificial environment—a decorated bungalow with official signage and doctored photographs—was used to project legitimacy to victims.
Background & Network
- Raised in a formerly wealthy Ghaziabad family with marble mining business connections.
- Earned a BBA in India and reportedly an MBA from London, though media questioned the legitimacy of the London qualification.
- Earlier associations with controversial figures like Chandraswami and international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi reportedly began in the early 2000s. He also operated companies in Dubai and London, allegedly used to funnel money and influence.
How He Stayed Undetected
Jain managed to evade detection for years by:
- Selecting posh residential areas close to Delhi.
- Crafting a compelling visual narrative—flags, diplomatic cars, forged credentials.
- Leveraging his educated background (MBA claims) and perceived international connections.
- Avoiding direct legal scrutiny until an intelligence tip-off triggered the STF raid.
Legal Action & Charges
A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed at Kavi Nagar Police Station, invoking multiple sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—covering cheating, forgery, and misuse of forged documents. Jain has been placed in custody and further investigations are underway to identify broader collusion and any international links.
Why This Case Matters
- It exposes how micronation-themed scams can exploit aspirational targets via the illusion of diplomacy.
- Highlights the potential convergence of job-placement fraud and illegal financial channels like hawala.
- Serves as a reminder to validate credentials—especially diplomatic or institutional ones—before engagement.
AspectDetailsSuspectHarshvardhan Vardhan JainOperation Duration~7–9 years (from ~2016)Micronations ClaimedWestarctica, Seborga, Ladonia, PoulviaFraud ActivityFake travel documents, overseas jobs, hawala money transfersSeizuresCash, fake passports, plates, stamps, luxury vehicles, digital evidenceLegal BasisFIR under BNS for cheating, forgery, document misuseImpactDisruption of a long-running scam, investigation ongoing
This high-profile case serves as a cautionary tale—revealing just how sophisticated and visually convincing scams can appear when presented under the guise of international diplomacy.