In a stunning revelation that sounds straight out of a spy thriller, 56-year-old Harshvardhan Jain was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) for running a fake embassy of a fictional country, Westarctica, from a rented bungalow in Ghaziabad’s Kavi Nagar for nearly seven years.
Luxury Cars, Fake Diplomatic Plates, and Crores in Cash
The raid, conducted on July 22, uncovered luxury cars with counterfeit diplomatic number plates, forged passports and seals, Rs 44.70 lakh in cash, and an array of documents that mimicked official correspondence from global authorities. Jain allegedly used these props to pose as a high-ranking diplomat and lure people into fake job placements and international business deals.
“He ran a broker network. People believed his promises because he looked the part, from fancy cars to custom-made diplomatic suits,” said ADG (Law & Order) Amitabh Yash.
Who Is the ‘Baron of Westarctica’?
According to the police, Jain referred to himself as the “Baron of Westarctica” and also claimed honorary titles from other unrecognized micronations, such as Seborga, Lodonia, and Poulvia. Westarctica, founded in 2001 by a former US Navy officer, claims territory in Antarctica — but remains entirely unrecognised by any nation or international body.
The STF revealed that Jain had a history of financial trouble and connections to controversial godman Chandraswami. After Chandraswami’s death, Jain returned from London and set up the “Consulate-General in New Delhi” for Westarctica in Ghaziabad.
Fake Photos with Modi, Kalam Used to Appear Legitimate
“He edited photos of himself with leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and late President APJ Abdul Kalam to gain credibility. He even hosted charity events to maintain a façade of legitimacy,” said an STF official.
What the Police Found in the Bungalow
The operation had all the hallmarks of a well-oiled scam. Investigators recovered:
• 12 fake diplomatic passports
• 34 forged country stamps
• 18 additional number plates marked with “DC” or “CD”
• Two fake press cards
• Forged Ministry of External Affairs documents
The scam came to light after weeks of surveillance, following a tip-off. Jain’s strategy was simple but effective: act rich, act important, and look diplomatic. The façade was enough to deceive unsuspecting individuals seeking global job placements and business links.
Wider Conspiracy Suspected
The FIR has been registered under charges of forgery, impersonation, criminal conspiracy, and cheating at the Kavi Nagar police station. Officials believe Jain did not act alone and suspect a wider network of individuals behind the creation and circulation of forged documents.
“This is not just impersonation; this is exploitation of trust and aspirations. We are widening the investigation,” said an STF officer.
