Fake Embassy in Ghaziabad:
The notorious Natwarlal might be a figure of the past, but his legacy of deception has certainly persisted. Society still harbors scammers whose antics are jaw-dropping. One such sensational racket has emerged from the nearby town of Ghaziabad. While Delhi boasts over 150 embassies and high commissions, in Ghaziabad, a con artist has astonishingly established not one but four embassies of nonexistent countries. This elaborate scheme of deceit under the guise of these embassies is truly large-scale.
Fake Embassy Operations in Ghaziabad:
The high-end neighborhood of Chankyapuri in Delhi houses a plethora of embassies and high commissions. Just nearby lies the city of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. About four months ago, from this very Ghaziabad, an individual impersonating Oman’s High Commissioner was nabbed. And now, four months later, a fake embassy operating here has also come to light, just as deceitful as the former.
A Grand Mansion Turned into a Fake Embassy:
Before we discuss the impersonating High Commissioner, let's delve into the real truth behind this sham embassy that emerged from Ghaziabad. The reality is staggering. Let us venture into the upscale Kavi Nagar neighborhood of Ghaziabad, where this luxurious mansion resides. This very mansion, which has the address KB 35, was masquerading as a fake embassy hub. Contrary to the neighboring residences bustling with daily life, this mansion operated as a central point for many diplomatic activities, interfacing with several nations and the Indian government.
Mansion Displayed as Embassy of West Arctic:
At least until recently, this was the belief held by Kavi Nagar residents. Luxurious vehicles with high-profile license plates and flags of different countries adorned the mansion's frontage, alongside people in formal attire frequenting the place. All of this illustrious facade was crowned by a brass plaque that read 'Embassy of West Arctic.' Naturally, anyone passing by would assume a legitimate diplomatic mission was underway within its walls.
STF Raid Exposes the Deception:
However, on the evening of Tuesday, July 22, an STF raid unraveled a dark empire of deception hidden behind this embassial charade. Stunned, the entire neighborhood of Kavi Nagar witnessed the revelation of fake passports, foreign currency, bogus identity cards, and many other incriminating items, alongside the mastermind - 47-year-old Harshwardhan Jain.
Hawala Operations through Shell Companies:
Jain was immersing people in diplomatic grandeur, presenting them photographs with influential figures like the Prime Minister and President, and offering possibilities of settling abroad or getting lucrative contracts in exchange for hefty payments. According to police, this facade concealed his real operation - running a hawala racket through shell companies.
Inside Scene Left Police Astounded:
The Noida STF received intel about illegal actions being conducted under the guise of a fake embassy from this mansion. Tracing these leads led the police to uncover an extensive racket involved in hawala activities and fraudulent operations. After confronting the convoy of vehicles, even the police were taken aback by the interior discoveries.
Multiple Nations’ Currencies and Fake Passports Seized:
Diverse currencies, cash worth 4.47 million INR, fabricated documents with Ministry of External Affairs’ seals, a collection of diplomatic car number plates, twelve illegal passports, dual PAN cards in Harshwardhan's name, countless seals, expensive wristwatches, a laptop, a mobile phone, and even illicit Press Cards were retrieved.
NGO Name Misused as Country Name:
Under this façade, fraudulent representations of embassies for four imaginary nations - West Arctic, Seborga, Paulvia, and Lodonia - emerged. The reality, however, is that these so-called nations didn’t exist on any world map. The West Arctic 'country,' whose embassy's name was brazenly displayed, was indeed an NGO working for environmental protection. Yet, through clever manipulation, the NGO was masqueraded as a nation to fuel these deceptive activities seamlessly.
Fraudulent Number Plates on Vehicles:
Delving deeper into the deceit and hawala operation, these ostentatious vehicles with faux diplomatic number plates speak volumes. Genuine number plates were present, but the illusive diplomatic plates would also be added, giving an impression that these were official embassy vehicles.
Harshwardhan Jain's Fraudulent Setup:
Harshwardhan had leased this mansion masquerading as an embassy but resided close by in another Kavi Nagar property. The raid uncovered fake diplomatic number plates suggesting attempts to impress by displaying these on required vehicles. Just as needed, fake cards and documents would be fabricated to support the illusion.
Harshwardhan’s London Connection:
Although he engaged in fraudulent activities, Harshwardhan comes from a reputable family background. His father, JD Jain, was a well-known industrialist, owning Jain Rolling Mills of Ghaziabad, with marble and mining operations across Rajasthan and other states. Harshwardhan studied MBA at the College of Applied Sciences in London.
Meeting with Chandraswami Changed His Path:
Harshwardhan's trajectory shifted dramatically after meeting controversial tantric Chandraswami in 2000, who introduced him to arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and London-based Ehsan Ali Syed, launching him into establishing twelve shell companies in the United Kingdom.
Racket of Cheating, Brokerage, and Hawala:
STF disclosed that Jain continued associating with dubious figures and profiting through brokerage. In 2012, a satellite phone was seized from him, further cementing his illicit activities by posing as an advisor or ambassador for fictitious countries, conducting his affairs from the phony Ghaziabad embassy.
