Who is Harshvardhan Jain? Fake Diplomat Behind ‘Londonia Embassy’ Scam in Ghaziabad

A major diplomatic scam was uncovered in Ghaziabad on July 22, when Harshvardhan Jain, a 47-year-old man, was arrested by Uttar Pradesh STF for running a fake embassy out of a luxury bungalow in Kavi Nagar.

Jain posed as a high-ranking diplomat representing obscure micronations like Westarctica and Seborga, luring people with promises of international jobs, business deals, and diplomatic support.

Here’s everything you need to know about Harshvardhan Jain and how he pulled off one of the most bizarre frauds in recent memory.

Who Is Harshvardhan Jain?

Harshvardhan Jain claims to have two MBA degrees—one from London College of Applied Science and another from ITS College, Ghaziabad. He comes from a business family that once owned marble mines in Rajasthan. After his father’s death, the family suffered financial losses.

Jain’s rise into deception allegedly began in the early 2000s when he met controversial godman Chandraswami, who helped him move to London. There, Jain launched several businesses—many later suspected of money laundering and hawala operations.

He also reportedly worked with infamous arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and expanded his contacts in Dubai and Africa, setting up fake “facilitator” companies.

The Fake Embassy Setup

In Ghaziabad, Jain turned a rented bungalow into a full-scale embassy. The premises displayed:

• National flags

• Luxury cars with fake blue diplomatic plates

• Gold-plated nameboards referring to him as “H.E. H.V. Jain” (H.E. stands for “His Excellency”)

He posed as an “Ambassador” of fake micronations like Poulbia Lodonia and Westarctica, none of which are recognized by any government.

To support the illusion, Jain morphed photos with Indian political leaders, including PM Narendra Modi and former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

What Did He Do?

According to STF officials, Jain used this fake status to:

• Cheat individuals and companies with promises of international job placements

• Offer business deals through fake diplomatic channels

• Operate a hawala network via shell companies

• Issue fake diplomatic passports and press IDs

He also hosted “diplomatic” meetings to gain trust and charge people lakhs of rupees for services that never existed.

What Was Recovered?

During the STF raid at 11:30 PM on July 22, police seized:

• ₹44.7 lakh in Indian currency

• Foreign currencies

• 4 luxury cars with fake diplomatic plates

• 12 fake passports

• 20 forged diplomatic license plates

• 34 counterfeit seals

• 2 fake PAN cards

• Luxury watches, laptops, and fake press cards

Previous Criminal Record

Jain has a past record. In 2012, he was caught with a satellite phone and charged under the Indian Telegraph Act.

His history of fraudulent activities goes back over two decades, where he reportedly set up fake companies in London and Dubai, operated scams under the name of international brokerage, and used false influence to con high-paying clients.

A fresh FIR has been registered at Kavi Nagar Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for fraud, misrepresentation, and forgery.

Police confirmed more arrests may follow, and the investigation is ongoing.

The Uttar Pradesh STF has urged people to verify all diplomatic or international business claims through official channels and not to trust fake personas or micronation “ambassadors.”

Jain’s arrest has disrupted a major fraud and money laundering network, showing how symbols of global diplomacy were misused for personal gain.