In a startling bust, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered a fake embassy operating out of a rented bungalow in Ghaziabad and arrested the alleged mastermind, Harsh Vardhan Jain, from the spot.

According to officials, Jain had converted a bungalow in Ghaziabad’s Kavi Nagar into an ’embassy’ for the so-called West Arctica, and falsely claimed to represent other self-styled micronations like Saborga, Poulvia and Lodonia. He posed as their ambassador and flaunted luxury cars fitted with fake diplomatic number plates to lend legitimacy to his operations.

Acting on inputs received from central agencies, the STF sleuths raided the premises on July 22 and arrested Jain. Officers said the accused used morphed photographs with global leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and various heads of state, to influence gullible people and project himself as a powerful diplomat.

The investigation revealed that Jain’s racket primarily involved duping individuals and companies by promising to facilitate overseas business deals and employment opportunities. He also allegedly ran a hawala network through shell companies.

The STF recovered a trove of fake diplomatic paraphernalia during the raid, including: four luxury vehicles bearing diplomatic plates, twelve diplomatic passports of ‘micronation’ states, forged documents bearing seals of the Ministry of External Affairs, two fake PAN cards, thirty-four counterfeit seals of various countries and companies, two fake press cards, Rs 44.7 lakh in cash, foreign currency of multiple nations and eighteen additional fake diplomatic number plates.

Jain’s shady past included suspected links with controversial godman Chandraswami and international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. In 2011, a case was registered against him for possessing an illegal satellite phone, police said.

A fresh case has been registered at Kavi Nagar police station and further legal proceedings are underway. Police said more arrests could follow as they probe Jain’s network and possible collaborators.

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