162 Trips Abroad, 300-Crore Scam: Fake Embassy Probe Reveals Big Secrets
Possible links to a scam worth nearly Rs 300 crore, 162 foreign trips in 10 years and multiple overseas bank accounts: the investigation against Harshvardhan Jain, arrested for running a fake embassy in Ghaziabad for eight years, has revealed shocking details.
Jain was arrested last week from the rented two-storey house in Ghaziabad that he claimed was an embassy. Investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) found that Jain was allegedly involved in running a job racket and was also involved in money laundering through the Hawala route. During the raid on the Ghaziabad premises, police seized four cars with fake diplomatic number plates, forged documents and also a luxury watch collection. Police will be seeking Jain's custody in court tomorrow. Jain, cops said, could be involved in a scam amounting to nearly Rs 300 crore.
A Fake Embassy
Outside the swanky two-storey building in Ghaziabad, a name plate read, "Grand Duchy of Westarctica" and "H E HV Jain Honorary Consul". The premises had the flags of India and Westarctica, a micronation in Antarctica not recognised by any sovereign state in the world.
According to investigators, Jain would use this front for networking and then lure people with jobs abroad. This fake embassy had been running since 2017, the probe has revealed. Jain would organise charity events, including bhandaras (community feast), outside the 'embassy' to keep up the show. He rented the building six months back, although he was running a fake embassy for about eight years.
A Shady 'Godman' Link
During the raid on the fake embassy, police found photos of Jain with controversial "godman" Chandraswami and Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. A self-proclaimed godman, Chandraswami rose to influence in the 80s and 90s, so much so that he was considered the spiritual adviser of three Prime Ministers - PV Narasimha Rao, Chandra Shekhar and VP Singh. He came under the scanner for financial irregularities and was arrested in 1996. A raid at his ashram also uncovered dealings with Khashoggi. Chandraswami was also accused of funding the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
A Massive Scam
The UP STF has found that it was Chandraswami who introduced Jain to Khassogi and conman Ahsan Ali Sayed. Sayed, it is alleged, worked with Jain to open 25 shell companies that were used to launder money. Born in Hyderabad, Sayed later became a Turkish citizen.
Sayed ran a company in Switzerland, Western Advisory Group, which liaised with companies and promised to help them procure loans in exchange for brokerage. This company, it is alleged, collected brokerage worth 25 million pounds -- nearly Rs 300 crore -- and fled Swiss territory. Ahsan was arrested in 2022 in London. Police are now investigating the degree of Jain's involvement in the massive scam. Earlier, police found that Jain used the fake embassy and diplomatic cover for networking and lured people with jobs.
Westartica Suspends Fake Baron
Following Jain's arrest, Westarctica, the micronation of which he was an honorary consul, has distanced itself. "In 2016, Mr HV Jain made a generous donation to Westarctica and was subsequently invited to join our team of international volunteers who advance our environmental and charitable mission in their home countries. His official title was 'Honorary Consul to India'. He was never granted the position or authority of 'ambassador'," Westarctica has said in a statement.
"During his recent arrest for fraud and other crimes, Mr. Jain was found to be in possession of diplomatic number plates, passports, and other items bearing the seal of Westarctica. As an Honorary Consul, he was not authorized to create these items. Westarctica, itself, does not utilize number plates or passports and we have never permitted or encouraged our representatives to do so themselves. By calling his home an 'embassy', Mr Jain was in violation of Westarctica's protocol for our representatives," it said.
Westarctica said Jain has been "indefinitely suspended as a representative of our organization". "Our executive team is currently looking into the matter further, and our hearts go out to any individuals who were victimized by Mr. Jain. We will cooperate fully with the legal authorities in India."
What Is Westarctica
Travis McHenry, a US Navy officer, founded the micronation Westarctica in 2001 and appointed himself its Grand Duke. Located in Antarctica, Westarctica has an area of 6,20,000 square miles; McHenry used a loophole in the Antarctic Treaty System to appoint himself the ruler. While the treaty prohibits countries from laying claim to parts of Antarctica, it says nothing about private individuals.
Westarctica claims it has 2,356 citizens -- none of them live there. Based in southern California, the Grand Duchy of Westarctica functions as a non-profit that spreads awareness about climate change and Antarctica. It has its flag, currency and also issues titles that no government recognises.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
7 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Woman sub-inspector, 2 other cops among 5 arrested for taking Rs 20 lakh bribe in Delhi
The Delhi Police Sunday arrested a woman sub-inspector, two of her subordinates, and two civilians for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 20 lakh from a complainant, an officer said. According to the police, Sub-Inspector Neetu Bhist, posted at Paschim Vihar East police station, was caught red-handed on the station's premises after the Outer District police laid a trap on the request of the complainant. The two other police personnel arrested include a head constable and a constable. A senior police officer said the process to suspend the accused officers will be initiated as soon as the preliminary inquiry is complete. Officers said the complainant, who runs an educational consulting firm, told them that he was in his office on Saturday when a police officer from Paschim Vihar East station arrived and accused him of running his business illegally. The complainant was then forced to board an SUV and taken to a police booth in Peera Garhi. The complainant alleged that the police personnel asked him for Rs 50 lakh, and the sub-inspector called him and threatened dire consequences if he lodged a complaint. Officers added that the two civilians arrested were known to the complainant, and they had forced him to sign two cheques to 'settle' the matter with the police. After negotiations, the complainant allegedly agreed to pay Rs 20 lakh as the first instalment. Investigators are now probing the role of the Station House Officer (SHO) of Paschim Vihar East police station in the incident as one of accused civilians, Ajay Kashyap, is often seen frequenting the station. In June this year, the Vigilance Department of the Delhi Police caught a head constable taking a bribe of Rs 25,000 at Burari police station. The accused subsequently suffered chest pain and was rushed to a hospital nearby. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, the Delhi Police have arrested at least 10 of its officers for taking bribes. This includes officers of inspector and sub-inspector ranks, public records show.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
7 minutes ago
- Business Standard
New Zealand, Azerbaijan visa scam: Indians lose Rs 40 lakh to fake jobs
A man from Mumbai has been arrested for allegedly cheating seven people out of nearly Rs 36 lakh by promising them jobs in New Zealand and Azerbaijan, using fake visas, flight tickets and appointment letters, news agency PTI reported on Friday. According to the Mumbai Police, as reported by the agency, Mohammed Shafique Mohammed Hanif Khan, 42, set up a fake job consultancy office in Agripada in south Mumbai to lure victims seeking overseas work. A resident of Mumbra in neighbouring Thane district, Khan allegedly collected Rs 35.90 lakh from seven individuals before providing them with fabricated documents. 'They realised they had been cheated after someone questioned the authenticity of the documents,' a police official said on Friday, July 26. Khan was arrested by the Crime Branch, which had launched a parallel probe alongside Agripada Police. Police officials added that he had previously duped at least 17 jobseekers from Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat and West Bengal of Rs 67 lakh using a similar method. 'There are multiple cases against him in Thane and Karnal, Haryana,' the official told PTI. In a separate case earlier this year, Ahmedabad-based businessman Jaydip Nakrani and seven of his clients were allegedly cheated of Rs 71 lakh by men who promised work visas for New Zealand. According to a complaint lodged with the Detection of Crime Branch in Gujarat, Darshil Patel—who claimed to represent a company called Madhvi's British Academy—had advertised jobs in New Zealand on Instagram. Nakrani, who also runs a visa consultancy called Vizalink, said he met Patel to discuss the offer. Darshil and his wife Krupa Patel allegedly claimed they could arrange work permits, flights, and jobs for Rs 17 lakh per person. Nakrani transferred money through both cash and bank routes to Darshil and his associate Jaimin Patel. None of the visas materialised. In another incident, Sahar police arrested 29-year-old Sagar Shah from Gujarat in November 2024 for trying to board a flight to New Zealand with a forged visa. Shah had previously been denied a Canadian student visa in 2018 and was looking for alternative migration routes. 'Unwarranted desperation to move abroad drives people to accept dangerous, illegal, and immoral options,' said Russell A Stamets, partner at Delhi-based law firm Circle of Counsels, speaking to Business Standard. What the law says Forging or using fake visas is a criminal offence under Indian and foreign laws. 'Forging a visa or attempting to travel on a forged visa is a serious offence punishable under the laws of all countries,' said Soniya Putta, partner at Mumbai-based law firm Solomon & Co. In India, Section 3 of the Passport Act prohibits international travel without valid documents, while Section 12(1) provides for imprisonment of one to five years and a fine between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000. Putta added that offences involving fake documents are also covered under Sections 336 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which can attract imprisonment and fines. 'Travellers must verify the agent's credibility and the authenticity of the visa, especially when unreasonable fees are involved,' Putta told Business Standard. 'Economic need makes people vulnerable to fraud' Ketan Mukhija, senior partner at Burgeon Law told Business Standard that many migrants are often driven by financial hardship and family pressure. 'This makes them more susceptible to scams that promise high-paying jobs in countries like the UK, Canada and New Zealand,' said Mukhija. 'To protect themselves, individuals must rely solely on authorised visa agencies, conduct thorough background checks on recruiters, and avoid making upfront payments without verifying the authenticity of the offer,' he added. How to protect yourself from visa scams Authorities in New Zealand have also issued public warnings to guard against such frauds. 'The general rule is if someone offers you a job in New Zealand and it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is,' said Helen Garratt, Senior Investigator at Immigration New Zealand (INZ), in an official statement last year. She said that scammers often use WhatsApp and other social media platforms to target people, usually demanding large sums in return for jobs and fast-tracked visas. 'An employer or a recruiter cannot charge you for a job. Paying money for a job or visa processing is a red flag,' said Garratt. INZ recommends verifying job offers directly with the employer and using only Licensed Immigration Advisers, who are registered with New Zealand's Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA). The IAA website offers guides in multiple languages, including Hindi and Punjabi. Authorities in India also advise victims or potential victims of visa fraud to report incidents to their local police.
Hans India
7 minutes ago
- Hans India
Urukonda temple priest ends life, alleges harassment
Urukunda (Kurnool district): The revered Sri Eranna Swamy temple in Urukunda, Kurnool district, is reeling from the tragic suicide of its deputy chief priest, Poojanna Swamy, who took his life in the early hours of Sunday. In a heart-wrenching suicide note, Poojanna accused temple executive officer (EO) Vijayaraju, chief priest JErappa, and Vedic scholar Mohan Sharma of relentless harassment and humiliation, driving him to this extreme step. Poojanna Swamy, a hereditary priest from Urukunda, had served at the temple since 2002 and was promoted to deputy chief priest three years ago. His family's deep spiritual connection to the temple traces back to their ancestral land, where the deity is believed to have been installed. Demonstrating his devotion, Poojanna donated a four-room building worth Rs 50 lakh to the temple. On Saturday night, he retired to bed as usual but was found dead by his family in an upper room of his residence on Sunday morning. In his alleged suicide note, Poojanna alleged that EO Vijayaraju enabled the chief priest and Vedic scholar to exert unchecked authority over fellow priests, undermining the dignity of hereditary priests. He claimed CCTV cameras were installed in the sanctum sanctorum with malicious intent and decried the growing intolerance and power politics within the temple, stating that the EO's support of the duo left no room for justice, plunging him into deep mental distress. Poojanna is survived by wife, daughters and a Hans India repeatedly attempted to contact EO Vijayaraju for comment, but he did not respond to calls.
