A Diplomatic Scam Stranger Than Fiction
In a case that sounds more like a spy thriller than reality, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered a sophisticated fake embassy operation run from a luxury bungalow in Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad.
The accused, Harshvardhan Jain, 47, posed as an ‘ambassador’ of fictional micronations such as Westarctica, Seborga, Poulvia, and Ladonia. Operating from his lavish residence, Jain used forged diplomatic credentials, passports, and fake government insignias to establish an elaborate façade of legitimacy.
According to investigators, Jain had been exploiting these fake identities to gain influence, access restricted spaces, and swindle unsuspecting individuals under the pretext of offering international connections and privileges.
The great diplomatic scam
STF officials said Jain set up an elaborate system to impersonate a global diplomat. His white-painted bungalow was draped with flags of real and made-up nations. Luxury cars outside bore fake diplomatic license plates, while the interiors resembled a real consulate, with forged Ministry of External Affairs seals, fabricated documents, and morphed images showing Jain alongside world leaders.
Nameplates outside the property declared him ‘H.E. HV Jain,’ with “H.E.” standing for ‘His Excellency’, which is a title usually reserved for diplomats and world leaders. Inside, investigators found twelve fake diplomatic passports, eighteen counterfeit number plates, and dozens of fraudulent seals from unrecognised countries.
A diplomat without borders
Jain used his fake diplomatic persona to lure job-seekers, businesspeople, and contract aspirants, promising overseas work, international mediation, and government project deals abroad. Victims were swayed by his image: luxury cars, high-profile photos, and promises of fast-tracked foreign contracts. Investigators say he even staged fake charity events to lend credibility to his “embassy.”
His fraudulent operation is believed to have started around 2017 and expanded steadily through false credentials, shell companies, and illicit deals. Victims were allegedly charged hefty fees in exchange for opportunities that never materialised.
The bust
On July 22, 2025, acting on central intelligence inputs, STF officers raided Jain’s residence at 11:30 PM, uncovering:
- 4 luxury cars with fake diplomatic plates
- 18 counterfeit number plates
- 12 fake diplomatic passports
- 34 forged seals
- Forged documents from the Ministry of External Affairs
- 2 fake PAN cards
- Fake press credentials
- ₹44.7 lakh in cash and significant foreign currency
- High-end watches, laptops, phones, and forged IDs
A fresh FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the case has been transferred to Kavi Nagar Police.
The man behind the mask
Jain was born into wealth. His family once ran marble businesses in Rajasthan. He holds MBAs from Institute of Technology and Science, Ghaziabad and the London College of Applied Science. However, after his father’s death and financial setbacks, Jain’s life took a criminal turn.
His association with controversial godman Chandraswami in the early 2000s allegedly introduced him to figures like arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and businessman Ehsan Ali Syed. In London and Dubai, he floated shell companies suspected of money laundering and hawala operations. He returned to India in 2011 after running into financial trouble abroad.
Not Jain’s first brush with law
This isn’t Jain’s first encounter with authorities. In 2012, he was arrested for possessing an illegal satellite phone, prosecuted under the Telegraph Act. That case resurfaced as part of this ongoing probe.
Authorities are now examining whether Jain operated solo or had international collaborators, especially in London and the Gulf, who may have used his fake embassy as a front for larger financial crimes.
During initial interrogation, Jain reportedly admitted to running his diplomatic operation for years, using his status as an ‘honorary ambassador’ to micronations to scam his way into business deals, jobs, and influence.
Investigation ongoing
The STF believes there may be more victims and additional collaborators, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and whether his operation was part of a larger international racket.
