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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Baron' who ran ‘Westarctica embassy' in Ghaziabad for 9 years held
1 2 Ghaziabad: A man who plucked out from obscurity names of micronations like Westarctica and Ladonia and declared himself their ambassador was arrested on Wednesday by the Noida unit of UP's special task force from his 'embassy' in Ghaziabad. Harshvardhan Jain, whose portfolio of gobbledegook included calling himself a diplomat from Seborga and Paulovia apparently found takers for this tripe, enabling the 47-year-old to perpetuate a fraud that went on for nine years. He bestowed on himself the titles of 'Honorary Consul Baron Westarctica', engraved on the number plate of a Merc found parked on the premises, and 'Honorary Consigliere Principato Di Seborga', which adorned the blue diplomatic plate of a Hyundai Sonata. Fake country stamps, passports, four cars with diplomatic registration plates, and foreign currency were recovered from the lavish Kavi Nagar bungalow that Jain rented six months ago for Rs 1.8 lakh per month. Police also found two forged press cards, indicating the 'diplomat' and 'baron' may also have pretended to be a journalist. Jain, according to police, was born into a wealthy family and studied MBA at a London college. The 'embassy' was allegedly the front of a hawala racket he ran. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida Special superintendent of police (STF) Sushil Ghule said central agencies were on the lookout for Jain, but it was an anonymous tipoff that took the STF to bungalow number KB-45 in Kavi Nagar at 10pm on Tuesday. Over the next seven hours — the raid continued till 3pm on Wednesday — the team scanned and seized volumes of documents, allegedly linked to an elaborate job scam and the hawala money network. "Jain had morphed photos to show him in the company of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President APJ Abdul Kalam. He had padded the house with flags of foreign nations. The cars parked in front embellished the appearance of the house as an important compound." SP (Noida STF) Raj Kumar Mishra told TOI that during interrogation, Jain claimed that he was appointed an adviser to the 'principality of Seborga', which is a self-proclaimed principality in the Italian riviera, in 2012. He also claimed that in 2016, the Grand Duchy of Westarctica — another micronation in western Antarctica — appointed him honorary ambassador. Jain made similar claims for Ladonia, a micronation in Sweden, and Paulovia, which seems to be a name cooked up by him. Micronations, to be clear, are not sovereign countries and aren't recognised entities. Micronations are distinct from microstates, such as Liechtenstein or Vatican City, whose sovereignty over extremely small territories and populations is internationally recognised. According to investigators, Jain started to operate his 'embassy' from his parents' property — bungalow number KB-35 — in the same colony in 2016. "For nine years, he operated out of this house before shifting to KB-45, which is owned by a person called Sushil Kumar," Mishra said, adding cops were yet to ascertain how many people Jain may have cheated during this period and what his exact modus operandi was. "He used the fake designations to draw people into conversations and gradually offered them jobs in foreign companies. He would later charge them by offering help to open overseas bank accounts or purchase properties. We are investigating his connections with gangsters abroad," Mishra added. The STF indicated he had contacts abroad, but it's yet to be ascertained how many people, if he indeed did, send abroad. The STF found in his possession 18 fake diplomatic number plates, 12 forged diplomatic passports from these micronations, fake documents carrying the seal of the foreign ministry, two forged PAN cards and 34 rubber stamps of various countries and organisations. "We also found Rs 44 lakh in cash, assorted foreign currencies, and 12 imported luxury watches," Ghule said. An FIR has been registered against Jain at Kavi Nagar police station under BNS Sections 318 (4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 336 (3) (forgery for purpose of cheating), 338 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc.) and 340 (2) (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record). He was sent to police custody by a local court.
India Today
9 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Jain & the art of diplomatic immunity
The Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF) has just pulled the curtain on a plot so audacious it could make Sukesh Chandrashekhar man who invented multiple micro nations and appointed Shri Harsh Vardhan Jain as the ambassador or consul-general has been arrested from the Westarctica Embassy compound in Ghaziabad's ambassador of Ladonia and the Consul-General of Saborga had diplomatic number plates, passports, but, as it turned out, no diplomatic immunity. When the man identified himself as Harsh Vardhan Jain, it became clear that Gangadhar hi Shaktiman Meet Harsh Vardhan Jain, the man who turned a rented house into a diplomatic Disneyland for fictional nations like Westarctica, Saborga, Poulvia, and Ladonia, countries so obscure even Google Maps would shrug and say, "Bhai, yeh kahan hai?"It was a Tuesday, July 22, when the Noida unit of the UP STF, acting on a tip-off from central agencies, swooped in like a hawk on a particularly delusional pigeon. They found Jain, the mastermind of this micronation madness, strutting about as the "Ambassador" of these make-believe had four luxury cars decked out with fake diplomatic plates, because nothing screams "I'm legit" like a second-hand Merc with a dodgy licence plate. Add to that a haul of 12 "diplomatic passports" for his fantasy nations, forged documents stamped with the seal of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), two fake PAN cards, 34 rubber stamps of various countries and companies, and two counterfeit press also had Rs 44.7 lakh in cash just so minor inconveniences came knocking. A stash of foreign currency that could fund a small coup in Poulvia, if it were a real a Ghaziabad resident with a rap sheet that includes a 2011 case for possessing an illegal satellite phone, had a knack for playing dress-up. He allegedly morphed photos of himself with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, and other global bigwigs to convince gullible folks he was a diplomatic heavyweight."Look, here I am with Modi ji, shaking hands like we're planning a G20 summit in Mordor Midlands!" you can almost hear him say. He targeted dreamers desperate for jobs abroad and companies chasing overseas deals. Jain promised them visas to the countries he had invented. STF suspects he ran a suspected hawala racket through shell companies to keep the cash let's look at some of his "micronations". Westarctica? Sounds like a rejected Marvel villain hideout. Saborga, Poulvia, Ladonia? They're not even on the dark web's travel itinerary. A micronation, for the uninitiated, is a self-declared "country" that no government or international body recognises. They are like a WhatsApp group declaring itself a sovereign however, sold these as real destinations, complete with "diplomatic" credentials. He even styled himself as Westarctica's "Baron," which is less a title and more a cry for a country where bureaucracy is a blood sport, Jain's hustle is both laughable and oddly admirable. He forged MEA seals, instead of some low-level patwari's. He knew few cops dare to stop and extort from diplomats so he got the vehicular equivalent of sticking a "VIP" sticker on your scooter. Jain's plan worked, at least for a while, because India loves a good someone you're an ambassador with a selfie next to Modi ji, and they'll hand over their life savings faster than you can say "visa approved."So, what's next? An FIR's been lodged at Kavi Nagar police station, and the STF is digging deeper. Jain's embassy of nowhere is crumbling, but the question lingers: how did he pull this off for so long?Maybe it's because, in Delhi, we're so used to embassies and CD numberplates, a fake embassy feels like just another problem is Jain opened one in Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad. Had this been in South Delhi, he would be having a nice lunch at Habitat with a fellow diplomat. Because diplomats and consuls are all over the markets, only god and Delhi Police know how many are of countries invented by Jain's fellow diplomats.- EndsTrending Reel
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Ghaziabad's bungalow of lies: Morphed Modi photos, high-end cars; inside fake diplomat Harshvardhan Jain's lavish KB-45 mansion
Operating from his Ghaziabad 'embassy,' Jain allegedly ran a nine-year fraud, accumulating fake documents, diplomatic plates, and foreign currency. Authorities suspect the lavish operation served as a front for a hawala racket. GHAZIABAD: A man who plucked out from obscurity names of micronations like Westarctica and Ladonia and declared himself their ambassador was arrested on Wednesday by the Noida unit of UP's special task force from his 'embassy' in Ghaziabad. Harshvardhan Jain's portfolio of gobbledegook included calling himself a diplomat from Seborga and Paulovia. He apparently found takers for this tripe, enabling the 47-year-old to perpetuate a fraud that went on for nine years. He bestowed on himself the titles of 'Honorary Consul Baron Westarctica', engraved on the number plate of a Merc found parked on the premises, and 'Honorary Consigliere Principato Di Seborga', which adorned the blue diplomatic plate of a Hyundai Sonata. Fake country stamps, passports, four cars with diplomatic registration plates, and foreign currency were recovered from the lavish Kavi Nagar bungalow that Jain rented six months ago for Rs 1.8 lakh per month. Police also found two forged press cards, indicating the 'diplomat' and 'baron' may also have pretended to be a journalist. Jain, according to police, was born into a wealthy family and got an MBA from a London college. The 'embassy' was allegedly the front for a hawala racket he ran. Fake diplomat at work: Flags, high-end cars, morphed pics Special superintendent of police (STF) Sushil Ghule said central agencies were on the lookout for Jain, but it was an anonymous tipoff that took the STF to bungalow number KB-45 in Kavi Nagar at 10pm on Tuesday. Over the next seven hours — the raid continued till 3pm on Wednesday — the team scanned and seized volumes of documents, allegedly linked to an elaborate job scam and the hawala money network. 'Jain had morphed photos to show him in the company of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President APJ Abdul Kalam. He had padded the house with flags of foreign nations. The cars parked in front embellished the appearance of the house as an important compound.' SP (Noida STF) Raj Kumar Mishra told TOI that during interrogation, Jain claimed that he was appointed an adviser to the 'principality of Seborga', which is a self-proclaimed principality in the Italian riviera, in 2012. He also claimed that in 2016, the Grand Duchy of Westarctica — another micronation in western Antarctica — appointed him honorary ambassador. Jain made similar claims for Ladonia, a micronation in Sweden, and Paulovia, which seems to be a name cooked up by him. Micronations, to be clear, are not sovereign countries and aren't recognised entities. Micronations are distinct from microstates, such as Liechtenstein or Vatican City, whose sovereignty over extremely small territories and populations is internationally recognised. According to investigators, Jain started to operate his 'embassy' from his parents' property — bungalow number KB-35 — in the same colony in 2016. 'For nine years, he operated out of this house before shifting to KB-45, which is owned by a person called Sushil Kumar,' Mishra said, adding cops were yet to ascertain how many people Jain may have cheated during this period and what his exact modus operandi was. 'He used the fake designations to draw people into conversations and gradually offered them jobs in foreign companies. He would later charge them by offering help to open overseas bank accounts or purchase properties. We are investigating his connections with gangsters abroad,' Mishra added. The STF indicated he had contacts abroad, but it's yet to be ascertained how many people, if he indeed did, send abroad. The STF found in his possession 18 fake diplomatic number plates, 12 forged diplomatic passports from these micronations, fake documents carrying the seal of the foreign ministry, two forged PAN cards and 34 rubber stamps of various countries and organisations. 'We also found Rs 44 lakh in cash, assorted foreign currencies, and 12 imported luxury watches,' Ghule said. An FIR has been registered against Jain at Kavi Nagar police station under BNS Sections 318 (4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 336 (3) (forgery for purpose of cheating), 338 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc.) and 340 (2) (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record). He was sent to police custody by a local court.
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Metro FM's DJ Jawz talks Strictly Vinyl Throwback party
DJ Jawz is building up to the Strictly Vinyl Throwback party. Itumeleng Sebola, better known as DJ Jawz, will showcase his DJing skills at the Strictly Vinyl Throwback party at Artistry in Sandton on July 27, also featuring Naked DJ, DJ Terance and others. Speaking to TshisaLIVE, DJ Jawz said vinyl isn't just about the sound — it's about the experience. He described vinyl as bold, with a fuller, richer sound that takes listeners on a ride. 'Vinyl feels like driving your classic Merc on a Sunday; it's smooth, nostalgic and has that raw energy. Digital is like your newer car, packed with features, but it doesn't quite have the same punch.' While both formats have their place, when it comes to creating a throwback vibe, vinyl's warmth and depth win every time, he said. DJ Jawz is known for his diverse selection of tracks and his set at the Strictly Vinyl Throwback party promises a blend of everything from soul and funk to 1990s house. 'I'm kicking things off with RnB, soul, funk and disco to get people in the groove. Then, I'll switch it up to 1990s house to keep the energy high and fresh.' Expect a mix of timeless classics and dance floor favourites that'll keep the party jumping all night. While the throwback classics are essential, DJ Jawz promises surprises for the crowd. 'I love throwing in something unexpected during my sets. It's all about keeping the crowd engaged and making sure they leave the party talking about the surprise moments that came out of nowhere.' If you're expecting the usual, get ready for some fresh, unexpected twists that will make the night more memorable.
Rakyat Post
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Rakyat Post
The RM120K Reality Check: When Your Insurance Job Dreams Meet Mercedes Maintenance Bills
Subscribe to our FREE Meet our protagonist: a fresh university graduate who dove into the insurance industry last December. Three months in – technically just one month full-time after doing part-time initially – his team leader dropped some 'wisdom' on him: You need a car that commands respect when meeting clients. Translation: Your trusty Myvi isn't going to cut it anymore. So, what does someone earning RM4,000 to RM5,000 monthly do? Naturally, he sets his sights on a 2017 Mercedes C200 priced at RM120,000. Because nothing says 'I've made it' like German engineering on a Malaysian salary, right? The Tea Session That Tried to Save Him His friend – the one sharing this story – tried to be the voice of reason during what should have been a casual tea session: Friend: 'Dude, your Myvi is fine. Why change?' Insurance Guy: 'I meet clients all the time. Need to give them confidence.' Friend: 'Is your insurance income even stable yet? You're moving pretty fast.' Insurance Guy: 'Average RM4-5K monthly, not bad.' Friend: 'Your car payments and petrol alone will be RM2K monthly. That's before maintenance.' Insurance Guy: 'I live at home, it's fine. The car is a money-making tool.' The friend, having owned a Mercedes before, tried one last warning: 'Mercedes maintenance is genuinely expensive. My previous Merc averaged RM1-2K per service. I sold it before the warranty expired and switched to Mazda.' Spoiler alert: The warning fell on deaf ears. April Arrives, Reality Bites Fast forward to April. Our insurance agent finally gets his Mercedes. His leader, perhaps sensing the writing on the wall, jumps ship to property sales in May. June rolls around, and the C200 is due for its major service. The bill: RM4,398. Suddenly, that 'money-making tool' needed its own financial rescue mission. The new Mercedes owner found himself asking friends for service money because – plot twist – he hadn't budgeted for maintenance costs. His reasoning? 'Such an expensive car should definitely go to the original service centre.' Fair enough, but expensive principles require expensive budgets. The Comment Section Delivers Some Hard Truths The story struck a nerve online, with commenters serving up their own brand of tough love: 'Many people are like this – they want to look good upfront but don't think about the costs behind. Some even plan to borrow money from friends. Treating friends like ATMs.' 'Earning RM4-5K and daring to buy a Maserati – that's real talent.' 'Adults need to take responsibility for their actions. At least he came to you for service money, taking responsibility for his car.' 'If you can't break through yourself, you'll end up breaking yourself.' The Sales Game: Where Image Costs More Than Income This isn't just about one guy and his Mercedes dreams. It's about the pressure cooker environment of sales jobs where image often trumps financial sense. The pressure to project success through luxury purchases is common in many professional environments. But here's the thing about 'fake it till you make it' – sometimes you end up faking yourself into debt. The friend sharing this story wasn't trying to shame anyone. His final thoughts were surprisingly measured: 'I'm not suggesting this approach. Mercedes maintenance is genuinely expensive, but you need to weigh it yourself. If you buy it, just call me.' Every ambitious professional faces this crossroads: invest in your image or invest in your stability. The Mercedes owner chose the image, and while the jury's still out on whether it'll pay off in the long term, that RM4,398 service bill was definitely a wake-up call. Sometimes, the most expensive education comes with leather seats and a three-pointed star on the hood. READ MORE : READ MORE : READ MORE : READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
