2025 embassy scam: Corrected spelling on "Ladonia" and "Seborga"
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== 2025 embassy scam ==
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== 2025 embassy scam ==
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In July 2025, it was reported that the Indian police had arrested Harsh Vardhan Jain for running a fake embassy of Westarctica from a rented house in [[Ghaziabad]]. For 7 years he pretended to be a diplomat for micronations like Westarctica, [[Ladonia (micronation)|
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In July 2025, it was reported that the Indian police had arrested Harsh Vardhan Jain for running a fake embassy of Westarctica from a rented house in [[Ghaziabad]]. For 7 years he pretended to be a diplomat for micronations like Westarctica, [[Ladonia (micronation)|]], and [[Principality of Seborga|]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bhandara ‘Baron’: How UP Man Ran A Fake Embassy In Ghaziabad For 7 Years |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ghaziabad-fake-embassy-harshvardhan-jain-fake-embassy-morphed-pics-shady-past-how-up-man-was-baron-for-7-years-8932141 |access-date=2025-07-23 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Ghaziabad ‘micronation’ scam: Man sets up fake embassies of fictional nations, claims ties with ‘Seborga’, ‘West Arctica’ & ‘Lodonia’; luxury watches, diplomatic number plates, forged IDs seized | work=The Times of India | date=23 July 2025 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/ghaziabad-micronation-scam-man-sets-up-fake-embassies-of-fictional-nations-claims-ties-with-seborga-west-arctica-lodonia-luxury-watches-diplomatic-number-plates-forged-ids-seized/articleshow/122853645.cms }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Man posed as an ambassador and ran a fake embassy, Indian police say | website=[[Associated Press News]] | date=23 July 2025 | url=https://apnews.com/article/india-fake-embassy-arrest-bddf800f5d851320d2d2c32ce318756f }}</ref> To look official, he used expensive cars with fake diplomatic number plates, fake documents, and edited photos showing him with Indian leaders. When the police searched his house, they found a large amount of money, foreign money, fake passports, fake stamps, and items linked to money laundering. Jain is also accused of offering fake jobs abroad and setting up fake business deals. As of 25 July 2025, police are still investigating the full extent of the scam.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025 |title=Fake country, fake embassy: How Ghaziabad man posed as ‘West Arctica’ envoy |url=https://www.business-standard.com/immigration/bizarre-embassy-scam-how-ghaziabad-man-claimed-to-represent-west-arctica-125072300771_1.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vasundharadevi |first=Surabhi |date=2025-07-23 |title=Fake ‘Westarctica’ embassy busted in India: Mastermind arrested |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/fake-embassy-of-westarctica-busted-in-india-mastermind-behind-the-scam-arrested-1.500208050 |access-date=2025-07-23 |website=Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema |language=en}}</ref>
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In a statement, Westarctica acknowledged that Jain had been serving as its “Consul-General to India”, while asserting that the Westarctica “[[Diplomatic vehicle registration plate|diplomatic number plates]]” and passports reportedly found in his possession could only be unauthorized versions created on his own initiative. It further stated that Jain “has been removed from our roster of diplomatic representatives and will also face sanction from the Crown as a member of the Peerage”, and that Westarctica was “cooperating fully with the legal authorities in India”.<ref>{{cite web | title=Official Statement on the arrest of H.V. Jain | website=[[YouTube]] | date=23 July 2025 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW1wpW4LEDw }}</ref>
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In a statement, Westarctica acknowledged that Jain had been serving as its “Consul-General to India”, while asserting that the Westarctica “[[Diplomatic vehicle registration plate|diplomatic number plates]]” and passports reportedly found in his possession could only be unauthorized versions created on his own initiative. It further stated that Jain “has been removed from our roster of diplomatic representatives and will also face sanction from the Crown as a member of the Peerage”, and that Westarctica was “cooperating fully with the legal authorities in India”.<ref>{{cite web | title=Official Statement on the arrest of H.V. Jain | website=[[YouTube]] | date=23 July 2025 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW1wpW4LEDw }}</ref>
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