Indian man arrested for running fake embassy, duping job seekers near Delhi

A man posing as an ambassador has been arrested near New Delhi for running a bogus embassy from a rented home, scamming people with false promises of overseas jobs.

Police in India have detained a 47-year-old man, Harshvardhan Jain, who allegedly operated a fake embassy out of a residential building near the capital, New Delhi. Authorities say Jain impersonated a diplomat and defrauded individuals by promising international employment opportunities in exchange for money.

The arrest was made by the special task force of Uttar Pradesh state, and police recovered several items from Jain’s premises, including four cars with counterfeit diplomatic plates, more than 4.5 million Indian rupees (approximately $52,000), and various foreign currencies. The residence was decorated with international flags, furthering the illusion of official status.

Senior officer Sushil Ghule said Jain falsely claimed to represent fictional or unrecognised micronations such as "Seborga" and "Westarctica", presenting himself as an adviser or ambassador. “He had created a web of deception using fake seals of India’s Ministry of External Affairs and around three dozen other countries,” Ghule said.

Investigators also found altered images showing Jain alongside prominent world leaders, apparently used to gain trust among potential victims. Police believe he may have also been involved in illegal money laundering operations via shell companies abroad.

Jain now faces multiple charges including forgery, impersonation, and the possession of fraudulent documents. The investigation is ongoing to identify others who may have assisted in the scam or been victimised by it.

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