Not just fake embassy, 'Ladonia envoy' formed an East India Company as well

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered new details in its investigation into Harshvardhan Jain, the alleged mastermind behind a fake embassy operation run in Ghaziabad.

According to the STF, Harshvardhan Jain had established several fake companies abroad, such as East India Company UK limited, including in the UK, Mauritius, Dubai, and African countries.

Other companies registered under his name include: State Trading Corporation, Island General Trading Co Llc (Dubai), Indira Overseas Ltd (Mauritius), and Cameron Ispat Sarl (Africa). These companies were allegedly used for money laundering and fraudulent activities.

During interrogation, Jain reportedly told STF officials that he acted on the instructions of Ehsaan Ali Syed, a close aide of controversial godman Chandraswami. Ehsaan, originally from Hyderabad and currently holding Turkish citizenship, had helped Jain set up multiple shell companies while living in London. These firms were reportedly used to facilitate Hawala transactions and large-scale financial fraud.

The STF found that between 2008 and 2011, Ehsaan and his team secured fake loans worth approximately 70 million pounds and collected around 25 million pounds as commission before fleeing. In 2022, on a request from the Swiss government, Ehsaan was arrested by London police. In 2023, a London court approved his extradition to Switzerland. STF is currently probing Harshvardhan Jain’s role in Ehsaan’s network.

Based on documents recovered from Jain, authorities have discovered multiple bank accounts in his name, both in India and abroad. These accounts are now under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigation.

An FIR has been registered against Harshvardhan Jain at Kavi Nagar police station under several sections including Section 318(4), 336(3), 338, and 340 of the IPC. The STF is now working to obtain Jain’s custody for further questioning.

Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force (STF) on Thursday busted a fake embassy operation running out of a lavish bungalow in Ghaziabad's posh Kavi Nagar area. The alleged mastermind, 47-year-old Harshvardhan Jain, presented himself as the ambassador of not one, but several self-proclaimed micronations - Westarctica, Seborga, Poulvia, and Ladonia.

His ruse, which included diplomatic number-plated luxury cars, forged documents, and fake foreign connections, was used to defraud companies and individuals by offering jobs, overseas deals, and influence in return for hefty commissions.

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