162 Foreign Trips, ₹300-Crore Scam: Fake Embassy Racket Exposed

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has unearthed shocking details in the case of Harshvardhan Jain, who was recently arrested for operating a fake embassy in Ghaziabad for over eight years. Investigations reveal that Jain undertook 162 international trips in the past decade, laundered crores through shell companies, and was linked to a scam worth nearly ₹300 crore.

The Fake Embassy Operation

Jain was arrested last week from a rented two-storey house in Ghaziabad, which he falsely claimed to be an embassy. A signboard outside the building read “Grand Duchy of Westarctica – H E HV Jain Honorary Consul”, featuring flags of India and Westarctica, a micronation in Antarctica not recognized by any sovereign state.

The STF seized:

• Four luxury cars with fake diplomatic plates
• Forged documents
• A collection of luxury watches

Jain allegedly ran a job scam, luring people with promises of overseas employment, while laundering money through hawala channels.

Links to a Notorious 'Godman' and Arms Dealer

During the raid, investigators found photos of Jain with controversial godman Chandraswami and Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. Chandraswami, infamous for his alleged role in financial scandals and political influence during the 1980s and 90s, reportedly introduced Jain to Khashoggi and conman Ahsan Ali Sayed.

₹300-Crore Money Laundering Network

Authorities believe Jain collaborated with Ahsan Ali Sayed, who created 25 shell companies for money laundering. Sayed’s company, Western Advisory Group (based in Switzerland), collected brokerage fees worth £25 million (approx. ₹300 crore) before fleeing. Sayed was arrested in London in 2022.

Westarctica Distances Itself

Following Jain’s arrest, Westarctica issued a statement:

• Jain was an “Honorary Consul to India” after making a donation in 2016.
• He was never authorized to call his residence an ‘embassy’, nor to issue diplomatic plates or passports.
• Westarctica has “indefinitely suspended” Jain and pledged full cooperation with Indian authorities.

What is Westarctica?

Founded in 2001 by US Navy officer Travis McHenry, Westarctica is a self-proclaimed micronation located in Antarctica, covering 6,20,000 square miles. Although it has 2,356 symbolic citizens, no one lives there. It operates as a non-profit organization focused on climate awareness and has its own flag, currency, and ceremonial titles—none of which are officially recognized.