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‘Baron of Westarctica': How a UP man ran fake embassy from a Ghaziabad bungalow for 7 years
Harshvardhan Jain was arrested on Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). Image: News18
Until Tuesday, few people, even in his own Ghaziabad neighbourhood, had any idea what was going on inside his home.
Now, he has been exposed as the man behind one of the most unusual cons recently. He posed as a diplomat from imaginary countries and shared edited photos with some of India's top leaders.
Harshvardhan Jain was arrested on Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). He had been running a fake 'Westarctica' embassy from a rented house in Kavi Nagar.
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During the raid, officials found luxury cars with diplomatic plates, 'diplomatic passports' linked to 12 micronations, stamps from 34 countries, Rs 44 lakh in cash, foreign currency, and an expensive watch collection.
But who is Harshvardhan Jain? And how did he turn a bungalow in Ghaziabad into a fake embassy?
Let's find out:
Who is Harshvardhan Jain?
The 56-year-old has claimed to live many lives.
Police say he introduced himself as the 'Ambassador of Westarctica' and also claimed to be the 'consul' of Seborga, Lodonia, and Poulvia, which are micronations with no official recognition.
He posed as a 'Baron' representing Westarctica, which claims land in Antarctica and was founded by a US Navy officer.
Though the so-called country is not recognised by any official authority, Jain is accused of using its name, along with made-up titles and honorary positions, to gain access to high-profile groups.
Notably, Jain holds an MBA from the London College of Applied Science, as well as another MBA from ITS College in Ghaziabad, India Today reported.
His father was a businessman based in Ghaziabad, and the family owned marble mines in Rajasthan.
After his father's death and facing financial difficulties, Jain came in contact with controversial godman Chandraswami. With his help, Jain moved to London, where he started several businesses.
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Investigating agencies say these companies were used to conceal unaccounted money, the report said.
After Chandraswami's death, Jain returned to Ghaziabad and set up a fake embassy to trick people.
He rented a grand bungalow in Ghaziabad and presented it as the 'Consulate-General in New Delhi' for Westarctica.
The official Instagram page of Westarctica posted images of the house just before the police raid, claiming 'Baron HV Jain' had been heading the consulate since 2017 and often hosted charity events.
He was seen driving luxury cars with false diplomatic number plates, distributing business cards and press passes that looked authentic enough to avoid suspicion, and for a moment, they worked.
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To appear credible, he even edited photos of himself with top leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
What is Westarctica?
Westarctica is not a real country.
It was created in 2001 by an American named Travis McHenry, who laid claim to an uninhabited part of Antarctica.
It has a website, a self-proclaimed 'Grand Duke,' and a symbolic system of nobility.
However, it is not recognised by the United Nations, the Indian government, or any official authority.
How Harshvardhan Jain turned a bungalow into fake embassy
Jain's 'embassy' in Ghaziabad managed to convince quite a few people. The bungalow displayed foreign flags, and his vehicles had number plates marked 'DC', short for Diplomatic Corps.
Inside, there were documents with official-looking letterheads, forged IDs, fake seals, and edited photos with figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
#WATCH | 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,… pic.twitter.com/BX6vaTLESJ — ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2025
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Officers say he used these props to appear credible, draw people into business arrangements, and offer fake diplomatic 'posts' to those willing to pay.
According to NDTV, Jain was also linked to shell companies that may have been involved in hawala-like transactions. Through his so-called embassies, he promised job placements and business contacts abroad.
But behind the grand setup was a bigger scam.
Jain is accused of taking large sums from individuals and firms in return for overseas placements and special permissions for international ventures, News18 reported.
'He ran a broker network. People believed his promises because he looked the part — from fancy cars to custom-made diplomatic suits,' ADG (Law & Order) Amitabh Yash said.
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To appear credible, he even edited photos of himself with top leaders. Image: News18
What did the police find?
The Special Task Force had been observing Jain for weeks after a tip-off. When officers raided the Ghaziabad property on July 22, they found:
4 luxury cars, including a Range Rover, Toyota Fortuner, and a Skoda, all with fake diplomatic plates.
18 spare number plates, many marked with 'DC' or 'CD,' symbols usually reserved for official diplomats.
12 forged diplomatic passports from Westarctica and other imaginary countries.
Rs 44.70 lakh in cash, along with several foreign currencies.
34 fake seals, two press cards, two PAN cards, and a collection of forged documents, including letters from the Ministry of External Affairs, invitations, and nameplates.
Jain has been charged with forgery, impersonation, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. The FIR has been filed at the Kavi Nagar police station.
Police believe others may have helped him, including those who created documents, handled money, or promoted the fake setup within influential circles.
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