‘Diplomat’ Of Nowhere: How One Man Turned A Ghaziabad Bungalow Into A Fake Embassy

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News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain

Last Updated: July 23, 2025, 15:42 IST

Fake diplomatic plates, made-up passports, and an entire “embassy” for a country that doesn’t exist — inside the bizarre world of ‘Baron’ Harsh Vardhan Jain

UP Special Task Force have arrested Harsh Vardhan Jain, the ‘baron’ representing .Westarctica’.

When the UP Special Task Force raided a plush bungalow in Ghaziabad’s Kavi Nagar this week, they didn’t just bust a con. They walked straight into a theatre of the absurd, complete with national flags, high-end SUVs with diplomatic number plates, and Harsh Vardhan Jain, a man who claimed to be India’s official envoy to a country called… Westarctica.

Except Westarctica isn’t a country. And Harsh Vardhan Jain is no diplomat.

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Who Is Harsh Vardhan Jain?

At 56, Jain has lived many lives, or at least claimed to. According to police, he introduced himself as the “Ambassador of Westarctica”, as well as the “consul” of Seborga, Lodonia, and Poulvia — all self-proclaimed micronations with no legal recognition.

Jain posed as a ‘Baron’ representing Westarctica, a micronation claiming territory in Antarctica, founded by a US Navy officer. While the “nation” is not recognised by any government, Jain allegedly used its branding, fake titles, and ceremonial designations to build legitimacy in elite circles.

In Ghaziabad, he rented a luxurious bungalow and operated it as Westarctica’s so-called “Consulate-General in New Delhi.” The official Instagram handle of Westarctica even featured the property just days before the raid, claiming that “Baron HV Jain” had been running the consulate since 2017 and regularly hosted charity events.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @westarctica.aq

He drove high-end cars with fake diplomatic plates, handed out business cards and press credentials that looked official enough to pass casual scrutiny, and for a while, they did. Jain had an answer for everything, until someone asked real questions.

What is Westarctica?

It’s not a real country. Not even close. Westarctica is a micronation established in 2001 by an American, Travis McHenry, who claimed a slice of uninhabited Antarctic territory. It has a website, a “Grand Duke,” and even a symbolic peerage system. But it is not recognised by the United Nations, the Indian government, or anyone with actual power.

Jain used this fantasy to create his own.

How He Pulled It Off: Titles, Props, And A Scripted Reality

Jain’s Ghaziabad “embassy” was convincing enough to fool more than a few people. The bungalow flew foreign flags. The cars bore plates marked “DC” (Diplomatic Corps). There were official-looking documents on letterheads, fake IDs, forged seals, and even morphed photos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, and other big names.

Officers say he used these to project legitimacy, lure people into business deals, and issue diplomatic “appointments” to those willing to pay.

Noida unit of UP STF busted an illegal embassy running in Ghaziabad and arrested Harsh Vardhan Jain, who was running an illegal West Arctic Embassy by taking a rented house in Kavinagar calling himself Consul/Ambassador of countries like West Arctica, Saborga, Poulvia, Lodonia… pic.twitter.com/4xdFRi65DR— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2025

According to NDTV, Jain was also linked to shell firms that may have been used for hawala-like operations, offering job placements and foreign ties through his so-called embassies.

What The Police Found

The Special Task Force had been tracking Jain for weeks after receiving a tip-off. When they raided the property on July 22, they found enough to fuel an entire Netflix season:

4 luxury cars, including a Range Rover, Toyota Fortuner, and Skoda, fitted with fake diplomatic plates.

18 additional number plates, most bearing “DC” or “CD” tags used by real diplomats.

12 forged diplomatic passports from Westarctica and other non-existent nations.

Rs 44.70 lakh in cash and multiple foreign currencies.

34 fake seals, two press cards, two PAN cards, and stacks of forged MEA letters, invitations, and nameplates.

The NDTV report notes that many of the recovered documents carried seals and watermarks that mimicked official Indian ministries. His “office” even had framed photographs of international visits and what appeared to be honorary credentials from fake foreign bodies.

A History Of Shady Claims

This wasn’t Jain’s first run-in with the law. He was booked in 2011 for possessing an illegal satellite phone, a serious offence given national security concerns. According to reports, Jain once claimed he was close to controversial godman Chandraswami, and even boasted of ties to arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi.

While some of this may be more self-fabrication, police say he has been building this persona for years, selling an illusion to unsuspecting victims, projecting himself as an elite global connector.

“He used the guise of diplomacy to influence businessmen, promise them access to international markets, and run a hawala network through shell companies,” the police said in its statement to the press.

How It All Fell Apart

The UP STF had been tipped off by someone who grew suspicious of Jain’s credentials. A background check revealed no diplomatic accreditation, and certainly no listing of “Westarctica” in MEA records. Surveillance confirmed the use of fake plates, and once the raid was approved, the pieces fell into place.

He has now been booked under charges of forgery, impersonation, cheating, and criminal conspiracy, with the FIR registered at Kavi Nagar police station. Officials believe more people may be involved, especially in helping Jain produce documents, facilitate financial transactions, or spread the scam through social circles.

Viral Fame, And Ridicule

Since the bust, videos of Jain’s “embassy” — the luxury cars, the fancy flags, the fake seals — have flooded social media. So have screenshots of his morphed images with global leaders.

The internet’s response has been a mix of disbelief, sarcasm, and hilarity.

Harsh Vardhan Jain ran a fake embassy! That’s enough internet for me today. Bloody hell. pic.twitter.com/SqHvxhUkQS— Sayantan Bhaumik (@CEOBhaumik) July 23, 2025

Jain Sahab koi aur dukan khol lete, embassy ki dukan kholne ki kya jarurat thi.— Soil and Salute 🇮🇳 (@RishiRahar) July 23, 2025

Harshvardhan Jain, posing as ambassador of Westarctica, with fake stamps, number plates.Nakli embassy bana Dali ye bhaisaheb ne. India’s got talent.😹😹😹 pic.twitter.com/tIEUfCrznU — Shining Star (@ShineHamesha) July 23, 2025

You must’ve heard of people with a fake passport. Have you heard of anyone with a fake embassy?Meet His Excellency Harshvardhan Jain. https://t.co/wWRdk7kwZG — Anomalist.Guru (@AnomalistG) July 23, 2025

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To lure people in securing job overseas, Harshvardhan Jain used morphed pictures with world leaders and VIPs. Multiple high-end cars with diplomatic registration plates was also seized. pic.twitter.com/mrUZvHBf8K— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) July 23, 2025

While the internet laughs, the police are investigating a serious, sophisticated con that exploited digital gullibility and the enduring allure of power. For Harsh Vardhan Jain, the ‘Baron of Westarctica’, the show is finally over.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More

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First Published: July 23, 2025, 15:33 IST

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