The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh has discovered a fraudulent embassy operating from a rented bungalow in Ghaziabad and has apprehended the alleged mastermind, Harsh Vardhan Jain, at the site. Officials reported that Jain had transformed a bungalow in Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad, into an ’embassy’ for the fictitious West Arctica and claimed to represent other self-proclaimed micronations such as Saborga, Poulvia, and Lodonia.

He presented himself as their ambassador and utilized luxury vehicles with counterfeit diplomatic license plates to lend an air of legitimacy to his operations.

The STF conducted the raid on July 22 based on intelligence from central agencies, leading to Jain’s arrest. Investigators discovered that he had manipulated photographs featuring global leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, to sway public opinion and portray himself as a significant diplomat.

The investigation indicated that Jain’s scheme primarily involved defrauding individuals and businesses by offering to facilitate international business transactions and job placements. He was also accused of running a hawala network through shell companies.

During the raid, the STF seized numerous counterfeit diplomatic items, including four luxury cars with diplomatic plates, twelve diplomatic passports from ‘micronation’ states, forged documents bearing Ministry of External Affairs seals, two fake PAN cards, thirty-four counterfeit seals from various countries and companies, two fraudulent press cards, Rs 44.7 lakh in cash, foreign currency from several nations, and eighteen additional fake diplomatic number plates.

Jain’s background reportedly includes suspected connections with the controversial godman Chandraswami and international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. In 2011, he was implicated in a case for possessing an illegal satellite phone, according to police reports.

A new case has been filed at the Kavi Nagar police station, and further legal actions are in progress. Authorities have indicated that additional arrests may occur as they continue to investigate Jain’s network and potential accomplices.