Ghaziabad: In a bizarre and audacious case, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered a fake embassy operating out of a plush double-storeyed building in Ghaziabad, posing as the official mission of a non-existent nation called “Westarctica.”
At the centre of the racket is Harsvardhan Jain, who allegedly posed as a ‘Baron’ of Westarctica—a so-called micronation created by a former US Navy officer that is not recognised by any sovereign government. Jain is accused of running a large-scale job scam by luring people with promises of overseas employment, while also being linked to a suspected money laundering network.
Investigators found luxury vehicles with fake diplomatic number plates parked outside the fake embassy. Inside, they discovered forged diplomatic passports, foreign currencies, and fabricated documents meant to mimic legitimate international operations.
Police say Jain used morphed photographs featuring himself with high-profile leaders including the Prime Minister and President of India to gain access and build credibility within elite circles. These doctored images, along with the trappings of a supposed diplomatic mission, were reportedly used to con people into believing in the legitimacy of Westarctica’s presence in India.
The STF has arrested Jain and continues to investigate the extent of the scam, including how many people may have been duped. Authorities are also looking into possible links with other criminal networks involved in financial fraud and human trafficking under the guise of foreign job placement.
