Man Arrested in India for Running Fake Embassy and Promising Overseas Jobs

Man arrested in India for running fake embassy, promising jobs abroad using fake diplomatic identity and documents.

Indian police have arrested a man accused of running a fake embassy near the capital city, New Delhi. The man, identified as Harshvardhan Jain, allegedly deceived people by offering false promises of overseas employment opportunities in exchange for money. According to Sushil Ghule, a senior official with the special task force of Uttar Pradesh state, Jain introduced himself to his victims as an ambassador or advisor linked to entities such as "Seborga" and "Westarctica."

These entities are known as micronations—self-declared, unrecognized states that often exist in theory or online, and are designed to resemble sovereign countries. Although these mock states may have their own flags, symbols, and even issue passports, they are not recognized by any official government in the world. Jain reportedly used the names of such micronations to convince people that he had diplomatic access and influence, claiming he could help them obtain jobs or business contracts in these so-called “friendly” nations.

Investigators told the India Today news outlet that Jain maintained a façade of legitimacy to carry out his scheme. He operated from a rented property that was presented as an embassy, with luxury cars parked outside bearing fake diplomatic license plates. Inside the building, authorities found numerous doctored photographs of Jain with global leaders, which were used to reinforce his credibility. In addition, police recovered counterfeit passports, fabricated seals purporting to belong to India's Ministry of External Affairs, and symbols of fictional countries—materials that played a key role in making his operation appear authentic.

The police raid on the property led to the recovery of approximately 4.5 million Indian rupees in cash (equivalent to around $52,095), along with various foreign currencies. The substantial amount of cash and foreign notes further supported suspicions that Jain was engaged in wider illegal financial dealings. Authorities also believe he may have been involved in money laundering through shell companies registered overseas.

Beyond impersonation and fraud, Jain now faces multiple charges, including forgery, the possession of fake documents, and engaging in activities designed to mislead and exploit vulnerable individuals seeking work abroad. The investigation into his operations is ongoing as authorities continue to assess the extent of the scam and identify any potential accomplices or additional victims.