UP STF Cracks Down on Bogus Embassy, Arrests Fake Diplomat

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP STF) has dismantled a counterfeit embassy in Ghaziabad, arresting Harsh Vardhan Jain, who impersonated an ambassador. He operated using fake diplomatic credentials and ran a fraudulent operation involving fake documents, vehicles with diplomatic plates, and a hawala racket. Significant assets were seized during the operation.

Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 23-07-2025 15:53 IST | Created: 23-07-2025 15:53 IST

UP STF Cracks Down on Bogus Embassy, Arrests Fake Diplomat — Arrested accued Harsh Vardhan Jain (Photo/ANI). Image Credit: ANI

Country:
India

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP STF) successfully dismantled an illegal operation posing as an embassy in Ghaziabad, leading to the arrest of Harsh Vardhan Jain. Jain allegedly operated the bogus embassy by renting a house in Kavinagar, while impersonating a Consul or Ambassador.

Authorities seized multiple vehicles with fraudulent diplomatic number plates, 12 counterfeit passports of micronations, and an assortment of other forged documents, including ones stamped with the seal of the Ministry of External Affairs. Also recovered were two forged PAN cards, 34 fake seals from various countries, and cash totaling Rs 44,70,000, along with foreign currency.

Jain is accused of falsely claiming ambassadorial status for fictional entities like West Arctica, Sabroga, Poulvia, and Lodonia. Investigations revealed he also engaged in a hawala racket via shell companies and fraudulently promised jobs abroad. This is his second arrest, with a previous one in 2011 involving a seized satellite phone.

(With inputs from agencies.)